A planning application has been approved to establish a new neighbourhood retail hub at the historic site of the former Ravenscraig steelworks.

Situated to the south of Marston's Inn at the junction of Prospecthill Road and New Craig Road, the project is set to deliver six commercial units. These will include two drive-thru outlets, an anchor convenience store, and dedicated points for electric vehicle charging.

As one of the largest brownfield regeneration and community creation initiatives in Europe, the long-term vision for Ravenscraig is to build a self-sufficient community featuring high-quality housing, transport links, education, and employment. So far, the site has seen the delivery of over 1,000 homes and has contributed £4.7m in education funding to North Lanarkshire Council.

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This retail approval follows several other major milestones for the area. Renewable energy developer Apatura recently proposed a £3.9bn sustainably designed data centre campus, which is expected to be among the largest in the UK and could create 2,400 jobs.

Furthermore, work continues in the dedicated employment zone following planning successes in 2024. This includes a £10m employment hub from Fusion Assets providing space for ten businesses, as well as a 38,000 sq ft sales facility and commercial vehicle workshop for DAF Commercials, part of the Motus Group (UK).

Russell Wilkie, Director at Ravenscraig Limited, said: "In recent months we've made significant progress towards delivering our overall masterplan for Ravenscraig, attracting new businesses to the site and securing high-quality employment opportunities that will benefit the area for years to come. This investment is the next step in delivering a self-sufficient community with even more to follow."

He added: "This latest proposal enables a fantastic retail and leisure offering to be developed for the community, something we know local people have been eager to see. We're excited to welcome a range of well-known brands that residents and visitors alike can enjoy in the coming years."