A once popular loch which is part of a plan to develop a large scale heritage park is being avoided by locals because of "unkept" grass, it has been claimed.
Hogganfield Loch is part of the Seven Lochs Project to develop a large-scale heritage park between Glasgow’s East End and Coatbridge.
But concerns have been raised that people living in the North East of Glasgow are avoiding the area because it is not being properly maintained.
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It comes as members of the City Administration Committee agreed to secure external match funding to support the Seven Lochs Project beyond June this year with funding now secured to continue the delivery of the project until at least March 2025.
The purpose and mission of the £6.8 million project was to create a new visitor attraction of national significance, while driving forward the creation of a wetland park as well as a green network of open spaces and corridors for residents and visitors to enjoy.
An update was brought before members of the committee on Thursday morning.
Labour councillor Soryia Siddque said: “I welcome the paper and I want to pay tribute to everyone involved in the project.
“One of the aims is to develop the Seven Lochs wetland as a heritage and nature visitor attraction of national significance which is a welcomed aim.
“Local councillor Greer has raised complaints about Hogganfield Loch and the uncut grass. Her feedback is that constituents no longer want to go to the loch with their grandchildren because it is unkept.
“I am just asking for assurances that the local infrastructure will be maintained.”
Councillor Ruairi Kelly who represents residents living near Hogganfield loch said he hadn’t been aware of any issues.
Councillor Kelly said: “As a local member myself, I have an invested interest in Hogganfield Loch too. I can’t say that I have had any of the same issues.
“There will be areas of the park that are not cut because of their natural habitat and anyone in the North East will know of the prevalence of water voles and their habitat is therefore protected.
“We are legally not allowed to cut grass where there is evidence of their burrows or of them living so if councillor Greer wants to get in touch then we can look into the issues and provide explanations as to why there wouldn’t be grass cutting in that specific area.”
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