The site at Holehills is part of the council’s ambitious programme to demolish its tower blocks and replace them with new high quality homes for the future. The three tower blocks at Holehills were recently demolished to make way for this exciting new development which includes 11 new wheelchair standard homes, and a mix of 1 to 4 bedroom homes, including semi-detached, terraced, cottage flats and bungalows. 

Councillor Heather Brannan-McVey, Convener of Housing and Regeneration, visited the site at Dykehead Road as preparation work commenced and viewed the plans for our largest project to date. Our new build programme continues to gather momentum and to date, 817 new homes have been completed, with a further 200 under construction and more in the planning stages, reaffirming our commitment to delivering our ambitious housing target of 5,000 new homes by 2035.

The development will be constructed entirely by CCG and will include 19 ‘pilot’ homes that have been designed using an energy strategy that is based upon the firm’s recently-launched ‘Net Zero Home’ building standard. The first homes of their kind in Scotland, advanced construction methods and gas-free energy solutions combine to reduce carbon emissions arising from lightning, heating, pumps and fans to a rate less than or equal to zero. As a result, future tenants will receive significant savings on their annual heating costs.

The progress being made at this site, together with potential new sites identified for future council homes and details of how we’re adding to our housing supply, are all being outlined and considered at the Housing and Regeneration Committee (Wednesday 19 May).

Sites being recommended for future new build homes include Calderigg Place, Airdrie (approximately 30 houses) and the former Petersburn Primary School, Petersburn Road, Airdrie (approximately 40 houses).

Work is also expected to start on site next month at Northburn Avenue, Airdrie, where 31 homes, a mix of 1-3 bedrooms, including 3 suitable for wheelchair users, are being built on the site of 28 flats which were recently demolished as part of the re-provisioning programme.

For the Coatbridge area we’re progressing well with plans to deliver 58 new homes at Lismore Drive in Old Monkland.   Seven homes have already been completed with all homes ready for tenants by July. We’re also developing designs for our site on the former Columba High School in Coatbridge. This is another major council house building project with 132 new homes being planned for the area.

Convener, Councillor Heather Brannan-McVey, said: “Our plans are significant and are already having a positive impact on the lives of our tenants and residents across North Lanarkshire’s communities.

“Our new build investment is helping to secure more local jobs and is boosting our economy by delivering community benefits, such as apprenticeships, which are agreed when our contracts are put in place. We’re also ensuring there is a housing mix available to support inclusion by being affordable, energy efficient and suitable for varying needs. We’re doing this not only through our new build homes but by bringing more homes into use through our Open Market Purchase Scheme. It’s important that we increase our supply of homes for rent in support of our tower plans and in meeting the needs and aspirations of our tenants.

“Improving the lives of our tenants and regenerating our local communities and town centres are the drivers behind our plans to realise the council’s vision to make North Lanarkshire the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit.”

The cost of the Holehills development is £27m with a grant funding contribution of £8.8m being made by the Scottish Government.