Clyde Gateway has officially launched the construction of two industrial units in Shawfield, marking a significant milestone in the development of the new National Business District. The project is part of a broader initiative jointly funded by the UK Government, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, and Clyde Gateway, with additional support from South Lanarkshire Council.

Located on a former industrial site heavily contaminated by decades of chemical production, the Shawfield development showcases the transformative power of regeneration. The site, once one of the most polluted inner-city areas in the UK, has been remediated to create a new space for investment, growth, and job creation.

The new industrial units are being built on the grounds of the former J&J Whites Chemical plant, which operated from 1820 to 1967. The plant produced a significant amount of hazardous chromium waste that contaminated the land. Clyde Gateway's remediation efforts began in 2013, leading to the successful development of 'Red Tree Magenta', a 40,000 square foot office building that opened in 2018 and now houses over 180 jobs.

The construction of the new industrial units is expected to further revitalize the Shawfield area and contribute to the ongoing economic development of the Clyde Gateway region.

The three combined projects will cost £20.7m, which in addition to the construction of the two new units, also includes further site acquisition and remediation works as well as the treatment of contaminants in the Polmadie Burn.

These projects were awarded £14.7m in November 2023 from the UK Government (formerly Levelling Up Funding Round 3) and £7.5m from The Scottish Government.

Work began on preparing the Shawfield Innovation site in the summer of this year, with a target completion of May 2025. The Scottish Government provided around £3.4m for the project with Scottish Enterprise and Clyde Gateway each committing £1.2m.

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The two industrial units, totalling 2,700m2 (29,000sq. ft), received planning permission in March 2024 and are being constructed by Heron Bros. Designed to achieve BREEAM 'Excellent' status in addition to exemplary ESG credentials, they are suitable for High Value Manufacturing (HVM) use.

Michael Shanks MP, Member of Parliament for Rutherglen, said: "It's hugely positive that the UK Government is investing directly in communities in Clyde Gateway, transforming derelict land to be safe whilst creating jobs, driving growth, and helping to reduce poverty.

"Being here today to break ground on this new development, you can see the potential this area has with the success of the nearby Red Tree Magenta and the great active travel links to nearby railway stations and the city centre.

"This work in Shawfield is yet another example of how a patient and long-term approach to delivering regeneration in partnership with other organisations across the public and private sectors is supporting thousands of jobs and bringing hundreds of acres of derelict land back into productive use."

Investment Minister, Tom Arthur at Scottish Government, said: "The ongoing transformation of Shawfield is revolutionary for Rutherglen and its surrounding communities. This has supported hundreds of jobs by decontaminating derelict land to make way for businesses.

"I am pleased that the Scottish Government is investing £3.4 million of new funding in Shawfield, which will enable new economic opportunities for the area."

Martin Joyce, Executive Director of Regeneration at Clyde Gateway said: "When heavy industry left the east end of Glasgow and Rutherglen, it did not just leave a legacy of economic hardship – the environmental impact of these polluting industries has impacted our communities for decades as well.

Clyde Gateway however has continued the remediation of derelict and contaminated land –around the size of 400 football pitches since inception – bringing this resource back into active use for new housing, offices, industrial units, greenspace and community facilities.

"We are very grateful for this investment from the UK and Scottish Governments, Scottish Enterprise, and to be working with South Lanarkshire Council to deliver a positive future for Shawfield and wider Clyde Gateway area."

Victoria Carmichael, Director of Property, Growth Infrastructure & Major Projects at Scottish Enterprise, said: "Scottish Enterprise has worked very closely with Clyde Gateway in delivering investment into local communities, creating jobs and economic growth in the process. The Shawfield Innovation project is the latest jointly funded scheme which we have undertaken, delivering industrial and office space, such as at Clyde Gateway East, where the final three units, delivering 60,000 sq. ft of HVM space has recently been successfully completed and in a location which is already home to several local, national, and international businesses.

"Our investment of £1.2m will help kickstart further regeneration and realise the economic potential of Shawfield."

Cllr Joe Fagan, Leader of South Lanarkshire Council, said: "South Lanarkshire Council, in partnership with Clyde Gateway, successfully secured £14.6m of UK Government funding to invest in our communities. This funding has accelerated our clean-up of Shawfield, and the new commercial units will enhance South Lanarkshire's growing reputation as one Scotland's economic powerhouses, as well as a great place to live and work.

"I look forward to working with Clyde Gateway to deliver more jobs and economic growth in South Lanarkshire."