New homes bid
North Lanarkshire Council has pledged to double its affordable homes by building 5,000 by 2035.
The council claims the initiative will bring new jobs and opportunities to the area, regenerate local communities and ultimately transform town centres into vibrant, multi-use spaces.
Council housing convener Allan Graham said: “Improving the lives of our tenants and regenerating our local communities and town centres are the drivers behind our long-term ambition.
“These are hugely exciting and ambitious plans.
“North Lanarkshire Council is Scotland’s largest council landlord and we are in the midst of the biggest council housebuilding programme in a generation in Scotland.
“We’ll be creating local jobs and training, strengthening our local economy over a sustained period and changing the way people live and work by regenerating our town centres.
“It’s an exciting time for North Lanarkshire and our plans clearly demonstrate our ambitions and aspirations for the area and its residents.”
By increasing its current commitment to build 2,150 new council homes, together with significantly expanding the purchase of properties through the Open Market Purchase Scheme, the council believes it will meet the 5,000 target.
And it is well on its way to achieving this with 500 new homes now complete.
Consultation is already under way on the first stage of housing plans which will likely see the area’s tower blocks demolished to make way for new attractive, accessible homes that meet the needs and aspirations of tenants. The council claim initial feedback from the consultation confirms that there is strong support for the proposal.