Town centre upgrade work is taking shape

North Lanarkshire Council’s ambitious plans to regenerate its town centres continues to go from strength-to-strength according to a recent report.

Members of the enterprise and growth committee (EGC) approved the latest town centre initiatives, including major projects such as new housebuilding, the creation of new business space and the development of other key facilities.

The economic regeneration delivery plan also identified a range of external funding streams which the council will prepare bids for, helping to supplement its own capital investment.

EGC convenor, Councillor Allan Graham, told the Wishaw Press: “The regeneration of our town centres is a key priority in the council’s The Place, the Vision strategy and we are seeing progress in creating new homes and community facilities.

“Our recent consultation on town visions has provided useful feedback from residents and businesses on how they would like to see their towns change and improve in future.

“We will use that information to further develop the visions, at the same time as we deliver individual projects which bring homes and jobs into our town centres.”

Progress on individual projects was also reported.

In Wishaw, the derelict former Methodist Church has been demolished and the site will be redeveloped as part of the council’s new supply programme while former office building Kings House has been acquired by the council for new housing.

The site of a former care home on Robert Street is being redeveloped by the council for new housing with work due for completion by January next year.

Meanwhile in Motherwell, a vacant cafe site – Cafe Refresh – will be redeveloped as part of the improvement works around Motherwell Train Station and work is due to start next year at the Old Town Hall to create new housing as part of the council’s new supply programme.

The former YMCA building on Brandon Street and adjacent land will also be converted into housing, with work starting in 2022.

In Airdrie, the council has provided funding to Clyde Valley Housing Association for the redevelopment of Broomknoll Street Church for housing. The works are expected to be completed next month.

A property on Buchanan Street has been refurbished by North Lanarkshire Properties and the council, creating commercial units on the ground floor and flats above.

In Graham Street, a similar project is delivering new commercial units and flats.

A residential development by Clyde Va l l e y Ho u s i n g A s s o c i at i o n a n d supported by the council through the Strategic Housing Investment Plan is underway at Mill Loan.

It is due to be finished by June 2022. Demolition is complete at the former Orr’s building and the site will be redeveloped to provide 20 flats and commercial space.

And in Coatbridge a derelict building on Bank Street has been partially demolished to allow the development of new flats and supported housing accommodation.

A fire damaged building on Main Street will be demolished and the site will see new flats built as part of the council’s new supply programme.

Detailed designs are being produced to conver t the for mer Municipal Buildings on Kildonan Street into mainly residential accommodation.

Work is expected to start on site in 2023.