Following the demolition of the 17-storey Glencairn Tower in 2011, the site is now home to 25 energy efficient properties, all built with solar panels to help minimise running costs for tenants.

The development is part of North Lanarkshire Council’s NL Homes £172m investment programme to build 1,150 new homes across North Lanarkshire, around a third of which have already been built.

A mix of one, two, three and four bedroom homes and cottage flats, the homes include ample parking and garden areas.

In addition, they meet Housing for Varying Needs specification which means homes are more accessible to adapt to tenants’ mobility needs over a lifetime. One property is also fully wheelchair standard.

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.

Depute leader of North Lanarkshire Council, Councillor Paul Kelly, officially opened the new development.

He said: “I’m delighted to officially opening this fantastic new housing development at the former Glencairn Tower site.

“NL Homes, supports our vision to provide affordable, good quality homes within safe and sustainable communities for the people of North Lanarkshire. In addition, our investment also supports the building industry and provides local employment opportunities.

“We’re committed to investing and supporting new house building across the area and will continue making a positive difference to the lives of our tenants.”

Tenants moving in to new homes are asked for feedback on their experience, and over the past three years the council has achieved a 98 per cent satisfaction rating.

Councillor Kaye Harmon, vice convener of housing and social work, added: “We are very proud of the high quality of our new build homes and it’s great to hear our tenants’ positive comments. We welcome, listen and act on the views of our tenants, and through consultation they tell us what they would like to see in our new council homes. Our tenants are particularly pleased with the garden areas, modern fitted kitchens and fantastic space inside our homes. We’re putting our tenants’ priorities at the heart of our service and making a positive difference to their lives.

“I’m confident we can continue to deliver new homes that meet the needs of our tenants not just today but in the future.”

A contribution of £1.25m was received from the Scottish Government towards the development costs at the site.

The contractor for the development was Wates Living Space Ltd.