South Lanarkshire Council has revealed plans to build 1,000 new homes across the region by 2022.

Unveiling the local authority's 2017/18 Budget, Council Leader Eddie McAvoy announced proposals to double the council's housebuilding programme.

He also revealed plans to extend the roads improvement programme by £5.5 million, improve community facilities and invest in school IT equipment.

"Today's budget does more than just keep our finances straight for the next year," he said. "They also set out some ambitious plans for South Lanarkshire's future. The Capital Programme in particular lays out details of £255million in investment by 2020.

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"This means we will replace three of our care homes, we will improve community facilities, such as replacing Balgreen Hall, and we will invest to make sure our school kids have access to the best IT equipment.

"We will also extend our roads improvement programme with another £5.5m and we will progress our City Deal projects. Our Community Growth Areas alone will help revitalise parts of Newton, East Kilbride, Hamilton and Larkhall.

"We've already rebuilt almost all of our schools. I am now committing my party to another great investment in South Lanarkshire's future – a massive extension of our council house building programme.

"New council homes are already being built in areas across South Lanarkshire, and current plans would see us build a total of 500 new homes by 2022. I am doubling that target. By 2022 South Lanarkshire Council will have built not 500 new homes but 1,000 new homes."

(LM/JP)