THE Environment Minister has welcomed plans for a "green retreat" sited on once-derelict land.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse praised the vision for the Cuningar Loop, on the outskirts of Glasgow, which will be transformed into a new woodland park opposite the Commonwealth Games' Athlete's Village.

The MSP said the park would also tackle health inequalities by providing paths for cyclists and walkers.

He visited the site on the banks of the river Clyde, close to Rutherglen.

As reported in the Evening Times in April, planning permission has been granted by South Lanarkshire Council for the £5million woodland park.

The 37-acre facility – equivalent to 15 football pitches – will be planted with around 10,000 trees, 30,000 shrubs and 40,000 bulbs, as well as 500kg of meadow grass.

More than 9800ft of paths will be laid alongside a new pedestrian and cycle bridge linking the area to the Games Village, the Clyde Walkway and a National Cycle Route.

Mr Wheelhouse said: "For more than 200 years this area of land has been used for mixed industrial use.

"That is all about to change and a green retreat for local people will become a reality.

"Importantly, it will also act as a legacy for the Commonwealth Games, providing a fantastic woodland resource.

"Through creating an attractive path network for cyclists, joggers or walkers, the new community woodland can help tackle health inequalities too."

The park, which will be managed by Forestry Commission Scotland, is expected to open soon after the Games.

Forestry Commission Scotland, Clyde Gateway and South Lanarkshire Council hope to increase visitor use of the area from under 1000 people a year to more than 100,000 visitors by 2021.

Preparatory work is already under way.

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk