Morgan Glen in Larkhall has been designated as a Local Nature Reserve.

The move - the first of its kind in South Lanarkshire's 12-year history - means Morgan Glen - covering approximately 40 hectares (99 acres) from Millheugh to Strutherhill - is now officially 'a place with special local natural interest, for people to enjoy and appreciate'.

Councillor Graham Scott, the chair of the council's Planning Committee which agreed the move, said: "Local Nature Reserves are for both people and wildlife. They contain wildlife or geological features that are of special interest locally. They offer opportunities to study or learn about nature or simply to enjoy the area.

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"Designating Morgan Glen as a LNR will help allow the sensitive management of the site for local people, visitors and the biodiversity of the area."

The move comes after the council, which owns the land, met with various interested parties, including Friends of Morgan Glen and Scottish Natural Heritage, at the beginning of the year to set up a management group. The new South Lanarkshire Local Plan, adopted in May this year, also contained a policy which confirmed that the Council would support the Local Nature Reserve proposal.

Subsequently the LNR will now be managed as a nature reserve by the council's Community Resources and a Local Nature Reserve declaration will now be drafted and published, formally notifying the public of the area's existence.

Morgan Glen will become South Lanarkshire's second Local Nature Reserve, the first being Langlands Moss in East Kilbride. There are currently 55 such sites across Scotland.

(GK/BMcc)