Plans have been submitted for a new housing development and care home at the former Tesco site in Main Street, Wishaw.

Wishaw and District Housing Association purchased the site three years ago.

Following a series of remedial works, an extensive process to develop design proposals in conjunction with contractor CCG (Scotland) Ltd and private care home partner Third Life Care have taken place.

After careful consideration of various options a plan was developed to ensure a quality development that would enhance Wishaw town centre.

Proposals for the project include 21 energy efficient houses and flats, divided into eight one-bedroom flats, four two-bedroom flats, five two-bedroom houses, three three-bedroom houses and one three-bedroom house suitable for wheelchair accommodation.

The houses will be owned and managed by the Housing Association for rent.

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The project also includes the development of a neighbouring site at the corner of Glasgow Road and Marshall Street, which will provide eight cottage type flats, also for social housing.

The construction of the houses is being supported with Government funding through North Lanarkshire Council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan with the remaining funding being provided by the Housing Association itself.

The nursing home will be constructed at the front of the site facing onto Main Street, which will allow residents to watch the activity in Main Street and continue to feel a part of the Wishaw community. The 62-bed nursing home will be constructed over two levels and will have a frontage to complement the streetscape.

If the planning application is successful, work is scheduled to begin in January next year with an expected completion date of early 2015.

Edward Mullen, Chairman of the Housing Association, said: "The preparation of the planning proposals and subsequent planning application has taken a fair length of time but it has been time well spent.

"This is an exciting development and we have been fortunate to have had CCG (Scotland) Ltd on board in these preparations. The whole project team has worked with the Board and the officers to make our vision become a reality. Third Life Care is an excellent care provider and we are pleased to have them on board in this project.

"Our Board is confident that this development will be a real asset to the town centre and for the community at large."

(JP/CD)