The Hamiltonhill project to be carried out by Queen’s Cross Housing Association has won £1.6 million for the creation of five new public greenspaces. These include a community park, play park, link space, tranquil space and community garden.

The Queensland Community Park to be developed by Southside Housing Association have secured £537,000 to manage flood risk for the wider Cardonald and Hillington area and to enhance underused open space through adventure/natural play facilities. The funding is also planned to be used for the development of tree and shrub planting and increased access to the site.

This funding has been awarded as part of a larger almost £8 million investment to help people and nature thrive in some of the most deprived parts of Scotland. This is part of the Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH) ambitious Green Infrastructure Fund which will support seven major projects in cities and towns across the central belt.

The fund aims to tackle socio-economic issues such as poor health and high unemployment as well as mitigate the impacts of climate change through creating and improving greenspaces in urban communities.

The latest projects will improve habitats and biodiversity, transform derelict land, tackle flood risk and create new active travel routes, community gardens and play areas in Glasgow, Bishopbriggs and Dunfermline

Announcing the funding, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “This investment will bring significant benefits to communities across seven more urban areas, repurposing and revitalising land to create green spaces and infrastructure which will not only make communities more attractive for people to live and work in, but also attract jobs, businesses and further investment.”

SNH chief executive Francesca Osowska said: “In addition to the many social and economic benefits, improving our urban greenspace can also help us adapt to and mitigate climate change.”

She also stated: “This funding will help us create a nature-rich future for everyone in Scotland, part of the solution to the climate emergency facing us all.”