Tenants at two newly completed housing developments in the Wishaw area gave a warm welcome to interested visitors recently.
The completion of the two new local authority developments in Roberts Street, Wishaw; and Burnhall Place, Waterloo; marked further progress in the roll out of North Lanarkshire’s ambitious new council house building programme.
North Lanarkshire Council has pledged to deliver 5000 new homes for rent by 2035. To date it has completed 954, with construction work currently taking place on another 267 properties.
Completion visits were put on hold during the pandemic but are now back on track and provided an opportunity for Councillor Allan Stubbs, convener of housing, and local members, Councillors Fiona Fotheringham and Jim Hume, to take a look around the new developments and speak to the tenants making these latest new houses their homes.
The Roberts Street development, built on the site of the former Belhaven House care home, comprises 16 new homes, two of which are built for wheelchair users.
Mr and Mrs Terence and Ann Mullen are delighted with their new home at Roberts Street, and said: “We lived in our previous property for 20 years and were really looking forward to moving into the Roberts Street development. We’ve settled in well and love being part of the local community.”
The development was delivered by the Hadden Group and Stephen Lynas, business development director, added: “We’re proud to have delivered the first of our new build homes in Wishaw in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council and are looking forward to further homes being handed over in Chryston and Airdrie later this year.”
The development at Burnhall Place includes a mix of 20 new houses including two homes built for wheelchair users.
Mr Alexander and Mrs Elizabeth Bissett are enjoying life in their new home. They said: “We moved here from one of the towers that was demolished in Gowkthrapple. We love our new home and are really pleased with all its modern features.”
This development was delivered by McTaggart Construction. Gary Mackie, contracts manager, added: “We are proud of the impact we made on the local community through our community benefits programme for the project which provided opportunities for young people, created local jobs and enabled engagement with over 300 students.
"We look forward to future opportunities with NLC to further this positive impact through the creation of new homes.”
A grant funding contribution for the developments is made by the Scottish Government.
Councillor Stubbs was delighted to meet with the residents at the new developments.
He said: “It’s great to see first-hand the fantastic new homes we’re building across North Lanarkshire and to hear from the tenants living in them.
“Our tenants tell us they are delighted with the quality of our new homes which are built to high design standards. This includes Housing for Varying Needs, meaning they adapt to suit future needs and are Secure by Design, improving safety and security.
"We’re also building highly energy efficient homes as we embrace new, renewable technologies and include features such as solar panels and vehicle charging points. These make our homes comfortable and more affordable for our tenants.
“Our new homes are changing lives and transforming our local communities as well are delivering jobs, community benefits and boosting the local economy. We’re committed to improving the lives of our residents and regenerating local communities to make North Lanarkshire the place to live.”
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