A former clay quarry in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, is set to be transformed into a new £300,000 Urban Fringe park under proposals unveiled by South Lanarkshire Council (SLC).

The 27-hectare (66.7-acre) Redlees Quarry site off Blantyre Farm Road will undergo a major renovation in the coming months after plans for phase one were given the green light by the council's planning committee. New footpaths and connections to the core path network for a range of uses - such as walking, mountain biking and horse raiding - are included as part of the proposals, along with improved access to the quarry pond the removal of damaged trees and scrub.

Plans also include the restoration and upgrade of a Second World War anti-aircraft battery at the site, which will form a second phase of the scheme and is subject to a separate funding bid. Graham Scott, chair of SLC's planning committee, said: "It is always a challenge for councils to find the most effective and community-friendly ways in which to re-use run down and derelict sites.

"In this case, this was particularly so, as we are dealing with a large site within an urban area."