A Lanarkshire dog racing track is facing an uncertain future after the owners of the stadium expressed interest in demolishing the stadium and replace it with homes, a hotel and possibly shops.
However there has been no further progress on Shawfield Stadium because an environmental report is required before any of the plans can move forward, with concerns that chromium waste will be found on the land.
The owners of the Rutherglen ground, which has been in use since 1898, have not yet submitted an environmental impact assessment (EIA) to South Lanarkshire Council (SLC).
Over the years Shawfield has been the home of Clyde FC, the Glasgow Tigers speedway team and even occasional pop concerts, but it is best known as having held dog racing since the 1930s.
In July this year we told how a number of locals were concerned that the site was becoming an eyesore, with no events having been held there since the coronavirus pandemic struck in March 2020.
Now it has emerged that site owners Shawfield Greyhound Stadium Limited last year sought out a screening opinion from the local authority regarding plans for the ground.
Their initial enquiry stated : "Project comprises the comprehensive regeneration of the Shawfield stadium and will include the removal of the existing stadium, site investigations, any required remediation, works as required to address flooding issues and a mixed use urban development consisting of a variety of residential types and tenures, possible hotel, possible leisure and supporting retail uses with supporting parking, roads and landscaping."
The new was greeted jubilantly by anto dog racing campaigners, with SAGE stating on their Twitter that: "Shawfield stadium, the last licensed greyhound racing track in has put in an initial planning application to repurpose the site for housing and demolish the track.
"The end is in sight, and we will be there to cheer on its demise."
SLC's response to the screening opinion, which looks in whether environmental assessments are needed, was to recommend that it would be required.
They stated: "The proposal is likely to result in the disturbance of COPR (Chrome ore processing residue) which the Council understands is likely to be present within the boundary of the stadium.
"This will require an agreement to be reached with the council’s environmental services and SEPA to ensure that the impact of the COPR is managed in a suitable manner.
"This will be required to ensure no significant impact remains either during or post redevelopment of this site."
A host of sites in the Rutherglen area have been found to contain chromium waste over the years, due to the area formerly being home to Whites Chemical factory.
A Council report in 2016 found that the cost of removing the waste throughout parts of the Shawfield area being redeveloped with the Clyde Gateway programme would cost around £24m.
A council source told Lanarkshire Live : "A screening opinion was sought last year as to whether a potential mixed-use application on the site of the current Shawfield stadium would require an EIA.
"The decision in December advised that we believe an EIA is needed.
"To date neither a planning application nor the EIA have been submitted. Basically the ball is now in the applicant's court."
Shawfield's owners have been contacted for comment.
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