Homes and retail space scaled-back in updated masterplan for Ravenscraig

An original artist's impression of the development on the former Ravenscraig site
An original artist’s impression of the development on the former Ravenscraig site

Revised plans to regenerate the former Ravenscraig steelworks site in North Lanarkshire have been revealed with fewer homes and retail space now included in the proposals.

An amended masterplan for the next phase of development, to be submitted by Ravenscraig Ltd in February 2018, features more than 500 new homes, primary schools, a new 17-acre park, and a range of town centre facilities including a convenience store.

The proposals also include land reserved for commercial businesses and organisations offering employment opportunities.



Ravenscraig Ltd, a joint venture partnership between Scottish Enterprise, Wilson Bowden Ltd and Tata Steel, announced its intention to update its original masterplan in September 2015 to ensure it is “fully in line with current market conditions”.

The 2001 planning application proposed a new town centre, with up to 57,000 sq m of retail floor space and forecast that 3,500 houses and flats would be constructed on the site.

The early phases of the 2017 Ravenscraig Masterplan now include:



  • Around 550 new homes between 2018 and 2021 to add to the approximately 450 completed homes to date.
  • A new primary school to be developed when there are 1,000 homes on Ravenscraig land. The developers expect this to be within three to five years.
  • A new site for a convenience store close to the Marston’s pub and hotel in addition to other local community shops.
  • Space for offices and commercial businesses in the town centre, as well as other business opportunities on the employment sites located to the west of the site.


  • Over 17 acres of parkland, including spaces for play, sport, nature and much more.
  • Nick Davies, director of Ravenscraig Ltd, said: “We have ongoing plans to redevelop the Ravenscraig site, one of the most important urban regeneration projects in Europe. Since development work began in 2006, we have welcomed New College Lanarkshire, Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, the Ravenscliff pub and hotel, and hundreds of homes to the site.

    “The revised Masterplan reflects the needs of the growing community, with a focus on high quality housing, a range of community and commercial facilities and substantial green space all of which will combine to deliver an enhanced quality of life for the local community.



    “Employment opportunities play a central role in immediate development plans and conversations are underway with potential commercial occupants.”

    The new planning application follows extensive engagement by Ravenscraig Ltd and a community consultation hosted by North Lanarkshire Council in November 2016. Feedback called for a primary school, convenience store, local job opportunities and greenspace, all of which will be developed in the short term as part of the new masterplan.

    Members of the public are invited to view and comment on the proposals at a series of drop-in exhibitions before the new application is submitted:

    • Tuesday 21 November, 2.30pm until 8pm, Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility
    • Wednesday 22 November, 3pm until 7.00pm, John McCormack Community Centre, Carfin
    • Thursday 23 November, 3pm until 7.00pm, Jim Fowley Community Centre, Wishaw.
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