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Locals claim victory as council does u-turn on historic field

Plans to build houses at Covenanters' Field, part of the site of the Battle of Bothwell Bridge, have been scrapped. The land was earmarked to be sold by South Lanarkshire Council for housing.

But, at a meeting last week, councillors overturned the decision after they were unable to agree a settlement with property developer Cala Homes.

There had also been numerous objectors to the plans on the grounds that the site was an important part of local history.

Bothwell and Uddingston Councillor Henry Mitchell claims the u-turn is a victory for local residents.

He said: "The result of the meeting was that the proposals have now been removed from the local area plan. Everything is remaining the same as it is at the moment.

"This is very much a victory for the people of Bothwell and Uddingston. As I said at the meeting, to build houses on Covenanters' Field would be a mistake as monumental as knocking down the original Hamilton Palace.

"The Battle of Bothwell Bridge is as significant as Bannockburn so it would have been a huge mistake to sell the land."

The battle took place in June 1679 as Government troops tried to crush Covenanter rebels who refused to accept the king as the head of the church in Scotland. Hundreds of lives were lost during the battle.

Full story at Bellshill Speaker.