North Lanarkshire Council has launched a consultation over plans to demolish its 48 residential tower blocks.

The 20-year programme forms part of the local authority's aim to provide better homes, regenerate town centres and create jobs, while also investing £500 million in the county.

The council said it wants to gather a clear understanding of people's needs and aspirations for future housing in their towns and communities, with all individual views of tenants to be fully considered.

The towers highlighted in this first phase are;

• Holehills multis (Merrick/Cheviot/Pentland), Airdrie - Towers - 138 homes

• Northburn Place, Airdrie - Flats - 26 homes


• Shawhead flats, Coatbridge - Flats - 176 homes

• Gowkthrapple towers - Allershaw and Birkshaw, Wishaw - Towers - 140 homes

• Gowkthrapple low rise flats, Wishaw - Flats - 272 homes

• Coursington multis (Allan/Coursington/Draffen), Motherwell - Towers - 351 homes

• Dunbeth Court/Highcoats/Jackson Court, Coatbridge - Towers - 569 homes

Cllr Allan Graham said: "We're now taking forward our long-term, 20-year plan, for the council's towers.

"These towers have been selected after analysing data, such as demand for the properties and turnover. The flats have higher turnover as some people moving in see them as temporary accommodation until they find a more suitable long term home. That's what we're aiming to do, provide people with modern homes they want to live in for the future.

"Consultation will take various forms including letters, face-to-face discussions, focus groups and open days. We want to give our tenants as many opportunities as possible to provide us with their views. We're also writing to all North Lanarkshire tenants living in towers and flats to keep them up-to-date with progress.

"Improving the lives of our tenants and regenerating our local communities and town centres are the drivers behind our long term ambition."

(LM)