A conservation project in South Lanarkshire has led to the completion of improvements to heritage buildings and landmarks.

A number of public realm improvements in the Leadhills were carried out following a consultation with residents.

A total of 45 properties directly benefited from grants to assist with the cost of conservation work.

The work saw restoration carried out on the Curfew Bell, War Memorial, Neven's Fountain, Village Square, Heritage Trail, Symington Memorial/John Taylor's Grave/Leadhills Cemetery, a gap site adjacent to the Miner's Library, dry stone walls and a village gateway sign.


The project also saw local tradesmen and residents given training in traditional skills and techniques.

Property owners in the village invested about £400,000 of their own money into the scheme.

The Leadhills Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme funding totalled £1.2m, with £400,000 each coming from the council and Historic Scotland.

The Scheme was launched in 2008.

Councillor Hugh Dunsmuir, the chair of the council's Planning Committee, said: "This scheme has been of significant benefit to the village and has really brought the community together.

"A huge number of people contributed ideas on the best way to take the project forward and I would like to thank them all for their contributions.

"This was a fantastic example of a local community really getting involved in a project that makes a significant difference to the cultural and historical assets of the village."

The work followed a Leadhills Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan, which set out the architectural and historic character of the area and suggested opportunities for improvement.

(IT/GK)