Council updates plans for new rental homes

North Lanarkshire Council chiefs have updated their plans to deliver 5000 new rented homes by 2035.

In her report to members of the local authority’s housing and regeneration committee, head of planning Pamela Humphries stated that, to date, 833 new build houses have been completed.

And there are a further 339 homes under construction.

In addition, 494 homes have been purchased through the Buy Back schemes.

Ms Humphries states in the report: “To ensure an adequate supply of sites for the new build programme, potential council owned sites continue to be evaluated for their suitability for inclusion within the programme.

“The cost of constructing or purchasing these homes will be contained within the overall budget for the new build programme within the Housing Revenue Account.

“There is a grant from the Scottish Government towards the cost of the new homes which is currently £59,000 per unit.

“The new homes are built to higher energy efficiency and sustainability standards, which helps to reduce future carbon emissions from the new properties.

“This is done via a fabric first approach to development, while incorporating renewable technologies where appropriate.”

New sites identified for future regeneration work include the former Methodist Church in Caledonian Road, Wishaw, and Coshneuk Road in Stepps.

Plans which have already been approved for housing but are in the design stage include the former Motherwell town hall, the former Petersburn Primary School site in Airdrie and Kildonan Street in Wishaw which will be home to 49 new houses.

Councillors will be able to run the rule over Ms Humphries’ report during a meeting of the local authority taking place today, September 8.