The scheme is one of three projects currently underway that are being jointly funded by the UK Government, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Clyde Gateway, with additional funding for additional infrastructure works also being provided by South Lanarkshire Council.

Located on formerly contaminated land - that has been described as one of the most polluted inner-city sites in the UK – the site has been remediated over a number of years, transforming derelict land that had otherwise lain empty for decades, into an area of investment, growth, opportunity and job creation.

Formerly the J&J Whites Chemical plant - also known as Shawfield Chemical Works – which operated from 1820 to 1967, and which produced up to 70% of the UK’s chromate products, generating significant volumes of hazardous chromium waste which Clyde Gateway is remediating. Remediation works initially commenced in Shawfield in 2013, which led to the construction of ‘Red Tree Magenta’, a 40,000sq. ft managed office building, which opened in December 2018 and now supports 21 companies and over 180 jobs.

The three combined projects will cost £20.7 million, with the works spearheaded by Clyde Gateway, Scotland’s largest regeneration project, which in addition to the construction of the two new units, also includes further site acquisition and remediation works as well as the treatment of contaminants in the Polmadie Burn.

These projects were awarded £14.7m in November 2023 from the UK Government (formerly Levelling Up Funding Round 3) and £7.5m from The Scottish Government.

Work began on preparing the Shawfield Innovation site in the summer of this year, with a target completion of May 2025. The Scottish Government provided around £3.4m for the project with Scottish Enterprise and Clyde Gateway each committing £1.2m.

The two industrial units, totalling 2,700m2 (29,000sq. ft), received planning permission in March 2024 and are being constructed by Heron Bros. Designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ status in addition to exemplary ESG credentials, they are suitable for High Value Manufacturing (HVM) use.

Michael Shanks MP, Member of Parliament for Rutherglen, said: “It’s hugely positive that the UK Government is investing directly in communities in Clyde Gateway, transforming derelict land to be safe whilst creating jobs, driving growth, and helping to reduce poverty.

“Being here today to break ground on this new development, you can see the potential this area has with the success of the nearby Red Tree Magenta and the great active travel links to nearby railway stations and the city centre.

“This work in Shawfield is yet another example of how a patient and long-term approach to delivering regeneration in partnership with other organisations across the public and private sectors is supporting thousands of jobs and bringing hundreds of acres of derelict land back into productive use.”

Investment minister Tom Arthur said: “The ongoing transformation of Shawfield is revolutionary for Rutherglen and its surrounding communities. This has supported hundreds of jobs by decontaminating derelict land to make way for businesses.

“I am pleased that the Scottish Government is investing £3.4m of new funding in Shawfield, which will enable new economic opportunities for the area.”

Martin Joyce, executive director of regeneration at Clyde Gateway, said: “When heavy industry left the east end of Glasgow and Rutherglen, it did not just leave a legacy of economic hardship - the environmental impact of these polluting industries has impacted our communities for decades as well.

“Clyde Gateway however has continued the remediation of derelict and contaminated land –around the size of 400 football pitches since inception - bringing this resource back into active use for new housing, offices, industrial units, greenspace and community facilities.

“We are very grateful for this investment from the UK and Scottish Governments, Scottish Enterprise, and to be working with South Lanarkshire Council to deliver a positive future for Shawfield and wider Clyde Gateway area.”

Victoria Carmichael, director of property, growth infrastructure & major projects at Scottish Enterprise, said: “Scottish Enterprise has worked very closely with Clyde Gateway in delivering investment into local communities, creating jobs and economic growth in the process. The Shawfield Innovation project is the latest jointly funded scheme which we have undertaken, delivering industrial and office space, such as at Clyde Gateway East, where the final three units, delivering 60,000 sq. ft of HVM space has recently been successfully completed and in a location which is already home to several local, national, and international businesses. 

“Our investment of £1.2m will help kickstart further regeneration and realise the economic potential of Shawfield.”

Cllr Joe Fagan, leader of South Lanarkshire Council, said: “South Lanarkshire Council, in partnership with Clyde Gateway, successfully secured £14.6m of UK Government funding to invest in our communities. This funding has accelerated our clean-up of Shawfield, and the new commercial units will enhance South Lanarkshire’s growing reputation as one Scotland’s economic powerhouses, as well as a great place to live and work.

“I look forward to working with Clyde Gateway to deliver more jobs and economic growth in South Lanarkshire.”