With the help of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) funding, the Association will retain and develop the front part of the building in Academy Street to enhance its original character.

The funding is part of North Lanarkshire Council’s Coatbridge Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) which identified the former library, alongside the C listed vacant terrace at 7-13 Bank Street, the C listed Coia Building at 27-29 Main Street, as priorities for grant assistance.

Campbell Boyd, chairman at CVHA, said: “Clyde Valley Housing Association’s partnership with North Lanarkshire Council continues to support our aims as a social housing provider to furnish our local communities with much-needed, affordable homes.

“The Board of the Association is committed to meeting the significant demand for housing need and this regeneration project is an excellent example of that. Ultimately tenants benefit from having sustainable homes, providing comfortable living and a secure safe environment to live in.”

Property owners in Coatbridge town centre within the Blairhill and Dunbeth Conservation Area are also being invited to apply for grants for external improvement work.

North Lanarkshire Council was awarded £800,000 from HES to support regeneration of the area and has now written to owners with details of the CARS asking for expressions of interest in applying for funding of 50 per cent to 80 per cent of the costs.

A conservation architect will carry out an external inspection of all properties within the project area to identify potential eligible works such as repairs to stonework, chimneys and gutters.

“The conservation area is an important part of Coatbridge town centre, and our CARS project will help us preserve its unique character for years to come,” said Councillor James Coyle, convener of the planning and transportation committee. “The council is providing investment to support the funding from HES, as part of our wider Town Centre Framework and Action Plan.”

Jennifer Storrie, project manager for Historic Environment Scotland, said: “The idea of our CARS investment across Scotland is to support and inspire communities to utilise their heritage for the future. We aim to facilitate decision making at a local level, and funding is awarded to projects focussing on the wider contribution the historic environment brings to communities. We look forward to seeing the responses that come back to North Lanarkshire Council’s call for applicants, and working together with them as the project develops.”