Coatbridge's former Carnegie Library has been shortlisted for the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2018.

The former library in Coatbridge, which was designed by Alexander Cullen, built in 1905 and financed by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, is situated in the historic core, central to Monkland Canal.

This prominent red sandstone 'Beaux Arts' style building makes an important contribution to the townscape and unique character of the area. However, it had been vacant since 2010 and it was important that the future of the building could be secured.

The council and Clyde Valley Housing Association (CVHA) worked together to create an exciting and viable redevelopment scheme. And, with funding help from Historic Environment Scotland, CVHA brought the vacant property back into use with the development of 12 affordable, modern flats with outdoor amenities.


Careful consideration was given to the overall design proposal and the sympathetic design resulted in securing the future of a significant and important piece of North Lanarkshire's build heritage for the future.

Head of Enterprise and Place, North Lanarkshire Council, Shirley Linton, said: "Retaining the historic character of the Carnegie Library building, while ensuring the proposed development was viable for the future, was key to the success of the project.

"Working with buildings like this one bring a unique set of challenges and issues. Our approach was to tackle the redevelopment in a sensitive way while retaining its heritage and retaining a Coatbridge landmark and this has been achieved."

All shortlisted projects are entered into the People's Choice Award which gives everyone a chance to get involved and express their support for whatever they consider to have been a great project in 2018.

Voting is set to close at the end of September.

(MH/LM)