People power swings into action in Castlemilk

Blaeloch Community Land Ltd – supported by Thenue Housing - has been established in the Netherholm area of Castlemilk. The new company is endeavouring to purchase a piece of land where shops and homes once stood thanks to legislation from the Scottish Parliament.

This would empower it to purchase land, provided it has community backing. The final decision, however, remains with Scottish Ministers. If the plans come to pass, the land – opposite the community’s popular Netherholm Hall – will see a community shop, growing space and play area created.

The plans have caught the public mood with 245 local people now signed up to the drive – reflecting the thriving community spirit which exists in Netherholm.

The company has just held its second AGM and those involved remain hopeful that the plans will become a reality.

Frank Soutar, Chairman of Blaeloch Community Land Ltd and a Thenue tenant, said: “There is significant community support for what we are doing and there is no doubt that it has the overwhelming goodwill of the community judging by the fact that almost 250 people are backing what we are doing.  We are hopeful we will succeed.”

The issue of a community shop is seen as vital to the plans – addressing the fact that none has existed since the 1990s when the shops and flats which once occupied the land were demolished.

The plans are seen as the ‘ideal addition’ to the Netherholm Hall – another community triumph which the local Netherholm Area Association fought to establish over a staggering 20 years – again with support from Thenue.

Ruth Adam, Community Regeneration Manager at Thenue, said: “We have been deeply impressed by the enthusiasm and drive from local residents. This, of course, has been seen before with the steely determination to deliver a community hall which opened exactly three years ago. Thenue is giving support to Blaeloch Community Land Ltd and remain hopeful of a good outcome to this endeavour.”