Construction is progressing on a pilot project of net-zero emission homes at North Lanarkshire’s largest new council housing development.
Nineteen of the new properties at the 150-house site at Holehills in Airdrie are being built for “enhanced sustainability”, with features including solar panels, air source heat pumps and electric car charging points.
Housing convener Allan Stubbs visited the site along with three others across the authority area to see the progress being made on the council’s goal to provide 5000 new rental homes by 2035.
The new houses at Dykehead Road are being built in place of three demolished tower blocks, and the net-zero section of the development will include a number of efficiency measures which are expected to give the new homes a top-level A rating for energy performance.
Solar panels will produce up to four kilowatts of electricity linked to battery storage units to store the energy generated, which will become the priority power source for the property and can top up during off-peak periods to make use of variable tariffs.
Air source heat pumps will allow the tenants to heat their homes without gas or other carbon sources, while there will be enhanced windows, doors and insulation to minimise heat loss.
The green energy measures at Holehills are designed to reduce carbon emissions, national grid demand and bring down energy costs for residents to help towards tackling fuel poverty.
It is one of seven under-construction new-build sites in North Lanarkshire – totalling 364 properties – along with nearby Airdrie developments at Northburn Avenue, off-the-shelf purchase at the former Orr’s building in the town centre and the now-complete Annieshill View in Plains.
Homes are also being built at Lindsaybeg Road in Chryston, Castlehill Road in Wishaw and Community Road in Bellshill; with each site featuring homes ranging from one to four bedrooms and including wheelchair homes, cottage flats and amenity bungalows.
Coatbridge North representative Councillor Stubbs said: “I was particularly interested to see the net zero pilot project at the Holehills development, which is the first step towards more affordable, energy-efficient homes for North Lanarkshire.
“The council has also committed to providing an electric vehicle charging pillar at every new-build parking court and charging points at homes with private driveways, and we’re also ensuring ducting and adequate spaces are available on sites for fitting additional pillars in the future.”
He added: “The new houses are of a high standard and will provide wonderful homes for the people who move into them; they provide for varying needs which means they are adaptable and accessible – 10 per cent are specifically designed to be wheelchair friendly and all will incorporate dementia-friendly measures.”
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