North Lanarkshire Council has welcomed the launch of a major regeneration project for Braidhurst Industrial Estate in Motherwell to provide modern, low carbon accommodation for businesses.

The council has appointed Tilbury Douglas to deliver the £6.5 million project, which will create ten new net-zero incubator units for start-ups and microbusinesses and refurbish six outdated industrial units,

Two of the incubator units will be provided rent-free to community services and organisations to combat social isolation and improve community health and wellbeing.

On-site energy generation will be available through photovoltaic panels to help businesses reduce energy bills and carbon usage, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure will be installed to allow businesses to decarbonise their vehicles.

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Car parking, roads, footpaths and lighting will all be improved and technology installed to enable high-speed broadband connections.

The project is being funded with £2.8 million from the council, £1.9 million from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) and £1.3 million from the Place Based Investment Programme, and £600,000 from North Lanarkshire Properties.

"This project will give Braidhurst Industrial Estate a positive, innovative future, safeguarding 80 existing jobs and creating 27 new full-time jobs and bringing almost half a hectare of vacant and derelict land back into use," said Councillor Alex McVey, Convener of the Enterprise and Fair Work Committee.

"It will offer purpose-built space for start-up businesses and SMEs, using technology to help reduce their carbon footprint and supporting investment in the local economy."

Contractor Tilbury Douglas Construction Ltd are currently on site, and the work is expected to be complete by August 2024.