The first phase of a significant regeneration project in Wishaw is now complete, with 97 new council homes finished at Castlehill Road.

The development marks a key step forward in ambitious plans to deliver modern housing, improved amenities, and green spaces, aiming to transform and better connect the local community.

The initial phase of the project, located on the site of the former Caplaw Tower, was designed by Coltart Earley Architecture and constructed by CCG (Scotland) for North Lanarkshire Council. The new housing provides a mix of options to suit various needs, including two and three-bedroom houses, one and two-bedroom cottage flats, and several wheelchair-accessible homes, such as four-bedroom houses, two-bedroom cottage flats, and two and three-bedroom bungalows. Amenity housing designed to adapt to future tenants' requirements is also included in the development.

The masterplan for the area also features a specially designed community amenity house and a new children's play park.

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Housing Convener, Councillor Michael McPake, and local councillor Fiona Fotheringham attended the completion event, where they met new tenant Mrs. Cathcart. Representatives from North Lanarkshire Council, Hub South West Scotland, Turner and Townsend, and CCG were also present.

Councillor McPake hailed the completion as a "significant milestone in Gowkthrapple’s regeneration masterplan and the completion of the first phase of new housing for the area."

He added, "As part of the ambitious regeneration plans for Gowkthrapple, the council is progressing future phases of the masterplan starting with the demolition of the older flats and Allershaw tower. The intention is to replace these with modern homes, improved open space and infrastructure to fulfil the placemaking objectives of the overall masterplan for the area to create an attractive and well-connected neighbourhood."

Councillor McPake also emphasised the council's ongoing commitment to its new house building programme: "We continue to drive forward our new house building programme, delivering more new, affordable and energy efficient homes for our residents. Our new homes are changing lives and transforming local communities as well as delivering jobs, community benefits and boosting the economy. We’re committed to fulfilling our ambition to make North Lanarkshire the place to live."

CCG was appointed for the Castlehill Road development through Hub South West Scotland’s housing framework. The homes were constructed using CCG’s offsite manufactured iQ Timber System, integrated with CCG’s own PVCu windows and composite door sets. M&E services, including sprinklers and solar panels, along with utilities, were installed by Group members Arc-Tech (Scotland) and Arc-Tech MU.

During the construction phase, a number of social value initiatives were also delivered, including the creation of six jobs, 13 work placements, 14 career-based events with local schools, and £5,000 of community investment.