South Lanarkshire Council have slammed vandals who targeted new allotment plots being built in East Kilbride.
Damage was caused at Lammermoor with the fire service attending around 10pm on Sunday.
It is understood tarpaulin was set alight with pictures posted on social media of pipes 'glowing' bright red after the fire. The council have yet to confirm the cost of the damage.
Plans from the council to turn part of Lammermoor into 60 allotment plots were passed at the third time of asking at the end of 2019, after objections over the loss of greenspace in the area.
An access road was initially planned to cut through Lammermoor but this was removed from final plans with vehicular access now from Kenilworth.
Work began in November after being delayed by the Covid pandemic.
Local residents say this is the latest incident in their battle against ongoing anti-social behaviour in the area.
One told Lanarkshire Live : "I was lying in bed and all I heard was the engine come thundering down the side of the house and into the park.
"It was then I noticed the smoke and realised there was a fire. I couldn't believe it."
Another said: "It is unreal. What on earth would possess someone to do this - causing this kind of damage and the plots aren't even built yet."
Head of facilities, waste and grounds services at SLC, Alistair McKinnon, said: “We were extremely disappointed to find out about this mindless vandalism when it was reported to us.
“The site is still being worked on by the contractor who will make any necessary repairs.
“We would ask anyone with any information to get in touch with the police."
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “We were alerted at 9.47pm on Sunday, April 18, to reports of a fire in the open.
“We immediately mobilised one appliance and firefighters extinguished the fire in an area under construction.
“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe. There were no reported casualties.”
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