Bellsfield

Bellsfield is described as a disused field being developed into a community woodland. The Clyde Climate Forest account reports 2,600 native broadleaf saplings, or “whips”, of ten locally typical species. Oak and birch predominate, with rowan, hawthorn, hazel, holly and yew also included. South Lanarkshire Council planted the trees with significant support from community members working with the council’s Justice Service; the account says that team would help care for the woodland as it establishes. The project intends to improve public access and recreation as well as landscape and biodiversity. The exact planting date and field boundary remain unstated. Clyde Climate Forest (Clyde Climate Forest: Cocksburn and Bellsfield)

Cocksburn

Cocksburn was formerly a closed, disused landfill. The same partnership says a community-led project transformed it into natural habitat, planting approximately 3,000 native broadleaf trees of ten locally typical species. Cherry, hawthorn and birch are identified among the main species, with rowan, oak, hazel and holly also present. Local residents, council staff and service users are described as continuing to maintain the young trees and natural regeneration. The site is identified by Clyde Climate Forest as a connectivity site and a core node in South Lanarkshire Council’s Broadleaved Nature Network. No before-and-after habitat survey or tree-survival count is provided in the accessed account. Clyde Climate Forest (Clyde Climate Forest: Cocksburn and Bellsfield)

The partnership credits the Arbor Day Foundation, South Lanarkshire Council and Clyde Climate Forest for enabling and funding the two projects. Its project page is a useful primary account of its own activities and collaboration, but independent council planting records and ecological monitoring are needed to measure delivery and outcomes. The council’s 2024 Biodiversity Strategy places local woodland projects within wider nature-network and designated-site policy, and lists both Bothwell, Blantyre and Uddingston Local Nature Reserve and Greenhall, Milheugh and Barnhill Local Nature Reserve among Blantyre-area LNRs. The latter is an administrative designation and should not be assumed to include either woodland without checking the boundary map. South Lanarkshire Council Biodiversity Strategy, 2024 (South Lanarkshire Council: Biodiversity Strategy 2024)