The site of the former Tannochside Primary School in Viewpark is being transformed into 16 new council homes as a site in Coltness was earmarked for a further 20 homes.

The developments form part of the latest phase of North Lanarkshire Council’s NL Homes programme and marks another step to meeting its ambitious plans to build more than 2,000 new homes - one of the biggest council house building programmes in Scotland in a generation.

A visit to the site in Viewpark took place to mark the progress of the development’s construction.

This £2.1m development comprises a mix of one and two bedroom cottage flats.

Meanwhile a sod cutting event took place to mark the beginning of construction of council homes at Innerleithen Drive, Walkerburn Drive and North Kilmeny Crescent in Coltness.

This £2.7m development comprises a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom houses and cottage flats. Two properties are fully wheelchair standard.

Attending the sod cutting were Councillor Bob Burrows, representatives from the council’s housing services and from Robertson Partnership Homes Ltd which is delivering the developments.

Councillor Bob Burrows said: “NL Homes supports our vision to provide affordable, good quality homes within safe and sustainable communities for the people of North Lanarkshire.

“I am very proud that we have been able to commit investment in new and improved housing while managing to keep rents well below the Scottish local authority average.

“I look forward to seeing more sites taking shape and becoming part of local communities. I’m confident we’ll continue to deliver on our pledge to build more modern affordable homes for North Lanarkshire’s residents.”

Stewart Shearer, managing director, Robertson Partnership Homes, said: “With construction work now underway at Tannochside and Coltness, people across North Lanarkshire can begin to look forward to new affordable homes of the highest quality.

“Over the course of the next six months, we will deliver 36 homes across the sites - engaging with the local communities throughout and transforming the affordable housing sector across the region.”

All of the new homes are built with energy efficiency in mind, achieving at least a ‘good’ eco rating to help minimise running costs for tenants. In addition, they meet Housing for Varying Needs specification which means homes are more accessible to adapt to tenants’ mobility needs. The homes are also ‘Secured by Design’ accredited, which involves Police Scotland architectural liaison officers having input into the layout and designs to ensure we build safe and secure environments.

A contribution is received from the Scottish Government towards the development costs at each site.