North Lanarkshire Council's Housing and Regeneration Committee have approved further contacts for new build council houses which will deliver more affordable homes for rent, new jobs and local investment.

Contracts are to be awarded for new council houses at Berwick Street, Coatbridge and Castlehill Road, Wishaw, forming part of our ambitious plans to deliver 5,000 homes across North Lanarkshire by 2035.

Approval was granted to proceed with a £22 million contract award to HUB South West for the construction of 97 homes as part of the first phase of new build housing, to be delivered by CCG (Scotland) Limited, at a vacant site at Castlehill Road, Gowkthrapple, Wishaw. Following the conclusion of statutory approval processes, contract award and subsequent work is expected to begin on site later this year.

Cruden Building (West) Limited will begin work this spring at Berwick Street, Coatbridge, to deliver 19 new homes as part of a £4.180 million contract.

-- Advertisement --

Approval has also been obtained to progress with the procurement for the construction of 26 new homes with Cruden Building (West) Limited at Laburnum Road, Viewpark, Bellshill, as part of a £6.006 million contract, subject to a final tender price being agreed to allow a contract award to be made. Work is expected to begin on site in the summer of this year.

Forming part of these contracts is a series of community benefits to be delivered alongside the new homes, bringing employment opportunities and boosting the local economies. These include 5 new jobs, 16 work experience opportunities, career events and working with local supply chains.

Convener of Housing and Regeneration, Councillor Heather Brannan-McVey, said: "Community benefits form an integral part of the contracts agreed with developers who build new council homes across the area. And, as we continue at pace with our new build programme following the covid pandemic, we are focussing on a sustainable, inclusive and green recovery.

"Our commitment to improving the lives of our residents and transforming local communities is at the heart of our housing plans. We're delivering first-class homes for our tenants and residents meeting their needs now and for generations to come."

All our new build homes, through a series of design specifications, help reduce inequalities. Our homes are adaptable to suit tenants' varying needs; they are secure by design; achieve the Scottish Government requirements for 'greener Homes' to reduce the incidence of fuel poverty and include standards relating to access to internet capabilities such as 'fibre to the property'.

Contract specifications also ensure the impact on our carbon footprint is mitigated as we aim to meet our 2030 net zero target. These include encouraging sustainable construction, reducing waste and resources, collection and composting of waste and recyclable materials.