A stretch of woodland near Douglas is set to be taken over by the local community.
Douglasdale Recreation, Environment, Access and Leisure (REAL) Group have had plans for an asset transfer approved by South Lanarkshire Council (SLC).
Located 2km north of Douglas, Douglas West Woodland will soon be under the control of the local community group who want to advance the area's heritage and culture through the preservation of rural areas.
Plans to develop the woodland include improved drainage and paths and the potential to link in with national walking and cycling routes to bring economic benefits to the area.
Funding from SSE's Sustainable Development Fund has been secured and includes money to employ a development officer to work on the project for two years.
On Wednesday, June 30, SLC's housing and technical resources committee approved the asset transfer.
Joanne Forbes, assets and estates services property manager, said: "Douglasdale REAL Group applied for an asset transfer on March 15 and following public consultation there were two representations received.
"Both were in favour of the asset transfer, however, questioned the exact title boundaries.
"The asset transfer assessment panel met on May 18 and considered the asset transfer implications in terms of the property, the organisation and the project.
"Douglasdale REAL Group's proposals meet the requirements of the Community Empowerment Act.
"The organisation is considered to have a stable membership with growing capacity and their constitution contains an asset lock meaning that if the organisation were to fold the asset would have to be transferred to another organisation of a similar nature.
"The phased development of the community woodland starting with improvements to the infrastructure such as the drainage and footpaths and aspiring to link in with national walking and cycling routes provides cultural, environmental and recreational community benefits along with an immediate employment opportunity.
"This is not a commercial woodland but an informal recreational area.
"The land has been valued at £76,000 and the group have requested a discount of 30 per cent to reflect these community benefits.
"Douglasdale REAL have already secured funding from the SSE Sustainable Development Fund for the acquisition and for the employment of a development officer."
Known as Douglas West after the former mining village which stood there, the site extends across nearby bings and former railway lines and was subject to a number of tree planting initiatives in the 1970s and 1980s.
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