New council housing developments have been completed in Coatbridge and Wishaw as North Lanarkshire’s building project continues to provide 5000 homes for rent by 2035.
Hundreds more are currently under construction, including at the cleared sites of demolished towers in Airdrie, as the initiative nears the landmark of its 1000th newly-constructed home.
The building projects have also resulted in community benefits ranging from the creation of jobs to donations given to local schools and good causes.
A total of 58 new homes have been constructed at the former St James Primary site at Lismore Drive in Coatbridge.
The new street is to be known as Graham Place; and as well as creating three jobs and two work experience opportunities for school pupils, has also assisted local good causes.
Kirkshaws community centre received more than £100 from the site’s Christmas jumper appeal, while nearby Barn Boxing Club received funding to improve its showers and roller shutter, while a donated tablet computer was raffled in support of Firpark Secondary in Motherwell.
Building work is complete on 55 houses at Dimsdale Road and Wilson Crescent in Wishaw; while another 16 are in place at Dryburgh Road, Dryburgh Gardens and Kitchener Street, forming the overall Roberts Street site.
The two projects have resulted in the creation of 10 jobs and have seen secondary pupils in the town receive careers talks and presentations from industry professionals.
Pupils at two local schools were also given budgets £1100 each to spend on projects of their choice, with Thornlie Primary choosing a climbing frame and playset for their grounds and St Thomas’s opting for toys, playground and sports equipment.
The Wishaw projects also saw donations made to NHS Lanarkshire’s festive toy appeal and to other local projects, while scrap timber went to Paws for Autism to build dog kennels and food storage areas, and three pallets of bricks are being used by North Lanarkshire Council’s restorative justice team.
With another eight houses being built at Caledonian Avenue in Bellshill, it brings North Lanarkshire’s total of completed new homes to 934.
Another 287 are under construction, with half being at the cleared Holehills tower blocks site in Airdrie, and more being on the way at the town-centre Orr’s building, Plains and at Waterloo.
Head of planning and regeneration Pamela Humphries said: “The building industry is still recovering from the pandemic and we’re working hard to overcome challenges faced with increasing prices and a demand for materials.
“We’re committed to keeping our projects on track and delivering value for money as we continue to roll out our new housing programme, which is key to North Lanarkshire’s regeneration plans.
“As well as providing modern, affordable and energy-efficient homes for our tenants, our new houses are also helping regenerate our town centres and communities and boosting the local economy.”
North Lanarkshire has also purchased a further 75 homes through the existing open market purchase scheme, which “sees derelict and empty properties repaired and used to house local people” and takes the total over 500.
Planning permission is also in place for 96 new homes at Gowkthrapple in Wishaw plus two developments in Coatbridge and Glenmavis.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
