North Lanarkshire is set to gain 48 new homes for social rent as Trust Housing Association officially marked the commencement of construction at its Reema Road development, near Bellshill town centre. This £9 million project, undertaken in partnership with local contractor Wilson Developments (Scotland) Limited, will revitalise a former industrial site, creating a sustainable community with a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom houses and cottage flats.

At a recent sod-cutting event, Councillor Michael McPake, Housing Convener for North Lanarkshire, welcomed the initiative. "I’m delighted to be part of the event marking the beginning of another new housing development for North Lanarkshire. These new homes for rent in Bellshill, being delivered by Trust Housing Association, will provide modern, affordable housing for the area, supporting local need," he stated.

Councillor McPake highlighted the project’s alignment with broader council objectives, adding: "This project is just one of a number included in North Lanarkshire’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) which aims to deliver over 2,300 homes, regenerating our communities and town centres, bringing benefits to the local economy including new jobs and improving the lives of tenants and residents. New developments such as this one at Reema Road complement our own shared ambition of delivering quality housing to meet the needs of the local community and I look forward to the development progressing."

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Located within walking distance of Bellshill town centre, the new residences will offer future occupants convenient access to local amenities and public transport links. Designed for energy efficiency, the homes comply with the Housing for Various Needs, Greener Standard, and Secure by Design Bronze Standard specifications. Additionally, two properties within the development have been specifically adapted to amenity standard.

The Scottish Government is providing significant support for the project, with a grant of £5.6 million. Construction is planned in phases, with the first homes anticipated for handover in March 2026, leading to final completions by October 2026.

Steve McGowan, a Board Member at Trust Housing Association, expressed his satisfaction at the project's commencement. "We are delighted to have started on site at Reema Road, delivering what we know are desperately needed affordable family homes within a key town centre brownfield site," he commented.

Mr. McGowan acknowledged the collaborative effort involved in bringing the development to fruition: "The project has been in the making for a number of years and the recent site start and construction progress is testament to the commitment and collaboration shown by our partners, Wilson Developments, North Lanarkshire Council and the Scottish Government. We would like to thank them all for their continued support, especially in light of the extremely challenging conditions we have faced across the housing sector in delivering new build projects in recent years." He also noted that the Reema Road development builds on the success of their Park Place project in Wishaw, furthering their role in addressing affordable housing needs and supporting town centre regeneration in the region.

Beyond constructing new homes, local contractor Wilson Developments has made a £50,000 Community Benefit contribution to Trust’s Hardship Fund. Established in 2022, this fund provides essential support for living costs to customers facing challenges due to the current cost-of-living crisis.

Steven Wilson, Managing Director of Wilson Developments (Scotland) Limited, commented: "We are excited to be working in partnership with Trust Housing Association on the Reema Road development, delivering much-needed, high-quality social housing for the Bellshill area. This project reflects our shared commitment to creating sustainable communities and transforming underused sites into places people are proud to call home. We were proud to provide a contribution to Trust’s Hardship Fund, which offers essential support to their customers during difficult times. We look forward to seeing the positive and lasting impact this development will have on the local community."