Shawlands Crescent is owned and operated by South Lanarkshire Council and first opened more than 30 years ago.

A masterplan is in place to upgrade the standard of facilities, environment and level of amenity at the site and is being progressed in three phases.

A replacement community facility was part of the first phase and was designed in consultation with residents, includes internet connectivity and is equipped with range of furniture and equipment.

Chair of the council’s Housing and Technical Resources Committee, Councillor Davie McLachlan, said: “I was delighted to see so many people from across different organisations and services come together to make this outstanding project possible, alongside many of our current site residents who call Shawlands Crescent their home.

“Co-designed with residents, this new community facility aims to provide a flexible, accessible meeting and event space, that is located right on the doorsteps of those who are going to use it.

“It will provide a base for a range of housing, health and education services to work from, ensuring residents have access to what they need in a location that works for them. 

“This project is of course only a small part of the wider vision and plans for South Lanarkshire’s two Gypsy/Traveller sites with detailed masterplans developed in conjunction with residents and in the process of being delivered.” 

The council’s work with the local Gypsy/Traveller community has recently been recognised with two national awards.

Both the council and residents from the two council-operated sites won the COSLA award for ‘Excellent People, Excellent Outcomes’ and the UK-wide Municipal Journal award for ‘Building Diversity and Inclusion’.

Councillor McLachlan added: “We’re proud that our Gypsy/Traveller community have a voice in South Lanarkshire.

“At the heart of this success has been the willingness of our residents to get involved and work with us to re-design different aspects of their site in a way that works for them. 

“This new facility is the perfect example of that, with spaces that cater for the wide variety of age ranges and interests that exist across the site.”

The council also owns and operates another Gypsy/Traveller site at Springbank Park in East Kilbride.

Funding for the new facility was provided by the council, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Procurement Alliance.