North Lanarkshire Council has approved contracts worth over £26m to build more than 100 new houses in Wishaw and Coatbridge.
The local authority’s housing and regeneration committee has given the green light for the contracts for the developments at sites in the two towns.
Contracts are to be awarded for the new council houses in Gowkthrapple, Wishaw, and Shawhead, in Coatbridge.
The planned developments at Castlehill Road and Berwick Street, respectively, form part of ambitious plans to deliver 5000 homes across North Lanarkshire by 2035.
As well as delivering more affordable homes for rent, the builds will also provide new jobs and local investment in both towns.
Approval was granted to proceed with a £22m contract award to HUB South West for the construction of 97 homes as part of the first phase of new build housing.
That will be delivered by CCG (Scotland) Ltd, 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) Ltd will begin work this spring at Berwick Street, Coatbridge, to deliver 19 new homes as part of a £4.18m contract.
Councillor Heather Brannan-McVey, convener of housing and regeneration, told us : “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.”
The council’s new build homes help reduce inequalities through a series of design specifications, and are adaptable to suit tenants’ varying needs.
They are also 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’.
Approval has also been obtained to progress with the procurement for the construction of 26 new homes with Cruden Building (West) Ltd at Laburnum Road, Viewpark, Bellshill, as part of a £6m 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 five new jobs, 16 work experience opportunities, career events and working with local supply chains.
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