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Archive relating to architectural work on Glengarnock regeneration project
551 357/1/10/1
Description Archive relating to architectural work on Glengarnock regeneration project
Date 1972
Collection Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall & Partners Collection
Catalogue Number 551 357/1/10/1
Category All Other
Administrative History Glengarnock Steelworks were situated in the Garnock Valley twenty miles south-west of Glasgow. Steelmaking came to an end in 1978, when 650 workers were made redundant. The Scottish Development Agency formed a local Task Force Group together with the British Steel Corporation (Industry), and, working closely with the local planning authority, has pursed a vigorous industrial development programme allied to extensive environmental improvements and architectural facelift both in the steelworks area itself and in the surrounding towns. RMJM&P were appointed as consultants, and began by undertaking an initial physical planning study which included a recommended land use plan. Site clearance and earthworks contracts followed, and structure planting took place in advance of new factory lets. Recreation and sports areas were developed along the shores of Kilbirnie Loch on land not suitable for industrial use. Landscape architects worked in conjunction with engineers throughout the reclamation process of the 250 hectare site. Where future open space area coincided with original topsoil or re-forming skeletal soils and vegetation, these were left undisturbed. These areas were cleaned up and improved with local soil treatments and new planting direct into the existing material. A soil study of the waste materials was carried out to determine the levels of metal pollution, pH and conductivity in order to establish the chemical and physical conditions which would affect plant growth. Experimental plots of planting and grassing were also laid out. It was found that a wide range of conditions existed. Implementation works were therefore organised so as to include a variety of earthwork and planting techniques suited to each area. Principle features of these techniques were: the organisation of the earthmoving processes to leave a ‘growing medium soil’ (rarely topsoil) on the surface which was capable of supporting vegetation: amelioration of the surface usually by applying peat to counter very high pH levels, to increase the organic matter content so as to improve fertility and to render any heavy metal contaminants less available to plants: and the selection of plants capable of surviving tough growing conditions and alkalinity. The project included landscaping and general facelifts for the nearby communities of Glengarnock, Longbar, Kilbirnie, and Beith, and the River Garnock walkway.
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