Two new build projects and the team behind their delivery have been shortlisted in this year’s Inside Housing Awards, which recognise the top projects and teams working within the housing sector across the UK.
Our Dykehead Road development in Airdrie is shortlisted in the Best Regeneration Project category, while our Castlehill Road project in Wishaw (phase 1) has been shortlisted for the Best Healthy Homes Development. And the team rolling out our groundbreaking housing projects has been recognised and shortlisted for Best Development Team.
Housing Convener, Councillor Michael McPake, said: “It’s pleasing that our ambitious housing plans to regenerate our towns and communities, boost the local economy and provide jobs and improve the lives of our tenants and residents are being recognised nationally. I wish the team every success when the award winners are announced in September.”
Our largest council house development at Dykehead Road, Airdrie, is shortlisted in the Best Regeneration project category. This is a re-provisioning site where towers were demolished and are being replaced by 150 new, modern homes. Sustainability is at the heart of this project as we delivered our first new zero homes. Our houses are high quality, energy-efficient, affordable with modern design standards. This project has helped boost employment opportunities within the area and provided community benefits, while developing a real sense of community for local tenants and residents.
Shortlisted in the Best Healthy Homes category is Phase 1 of Castlehill Road, Wishaw. This forms part of the Gowkthrapple Regeneration Masterplan. Demolition is underway to replace tower blocks with modern low-rise homes. Nineteen new bungalows, providing enhanced amenity and energy standards, were built to suit the needs of the existing elderly residents from the neighbouring Allershaw Tower, scheduled for demolition. Following feedback, the council agreed to design, fit out and convert one of the bungalows as a dedicated space for residents to meet as a community facility, generating positive health and social outcomes for older residents to live independently and socialise together.
Finally, our new supply team has been shortlisted for Best Development Team. The team leads the way in pioneering innovative and sustainable housing solutions. Since Housing Committee approval of the ambitious new supply programme in 2018, the team has consistently delivered, demonstrating unwavering commitment to achieving the target of 5,000 new homes by 2035. A variety of delivery methods, including traditional new builds, Off the Shelf initiatives, Development Pathfinder projects, and the Open Market Purchase Scheme, have helped reach significant milestones. To date, 1,463 new build homes have been completed, with 335 new affordable new homes delivered in the record-breaking year of 2023/2024.