Housing plan for school grounds

The former St James’ Primary site in Kirkwood is set to be redeveloped into council housing.

A community consultation event will take place tomorrow to allow local residents to give their views ahead of the future submission of a planning application.

North Lanarkshire officials aim to construct 60 rental properties on the Lismore Drive site, including twostorey houses, bungalows and cottage flats; ranging for between two and seven people per household.

Tomorrow’s informal drop- in event takes place at Coatbridge community centre on Old Monkland Road, from 5pm to 7pm, allowing local residents to speak to staff and find out more about the proposals.

A council spokesperson said: “The development forms part of North Lanarkshire’s new council house-building programme, NL Homes, which will see 2150 homes built by 2027.

“New homes are built with energy efficiency in mind and meet Housing for Varying Needs specification which means homes are more accessible to adapt to tenants’ mobility needs.

“The homes are also ‘ s ecured by d e s i g n ’ accredited, which involves Police Scotland architectural liaison officers having input into the layout and designs to ensure we build safe and secure environments.”

Comments on the proposals will also then be accepted for a further week, until May 10, by emailing Ne w Bu i l d H o u s i n g @ northlan.gov.uk.

St James’ Primary closed in January 2005 when it amalgamated with St Timothy’s; the new merged school was accommodated at the Lismore Drive premises until their new, current building alongside St Andrew’s High was constructed the following year.