Housing plan wins approval

A total of 400 planned new affordable homes have been added to North Lanarkshire’s five-year housing plan.

It includes sites at Mill Loan and Hogg Street in Airdrie and at Craigend Drive, Bank Street and Wilton Street in Coatbridge, all due to be developed by Clyde Valley Housing Association.

They now form part of the council’s strategic housing investment plan for 2018-2023, along with 1300 alreadyapproved properties including new council homes being constructed at the former St James, Plains and St Ambrose school sites, and at sites including Glenboig, Rawyards and Shawhead.

It was agreed at a housing committee meeting and has been submitted to the Scottish Government, which will support the project with £120 million of funding.

All new homes built under the plan will be energy efficient and constructed to standards ensuring they are accessible for anyone with a mobility difficulty.

Housing convener Councillor Allan Graham said: “We want all of our tenants and residents to enjoy good quality housing in a pleasant and safe environment, and our SHIP details how we’ll work with our partners to achieve this.

“As well as helping to meet the shortfall in affordable housing, these will also help tackle fuel poverty and regenerate town centres.”

The housing plan aims to help deliver new homes at double the rate completed over the previous five years.