Groundwork is now underway at its largest new council housing site in Holehills, Airdrie, to deliver 150 new homes, 19 of which are the first confirmed Net Zero project undertaken by CCG.

The site at Holehills is part of the council’s programme to demolish its tower blocks and replace them with new high quality homes for the future. The three tower blocks at Holehills were recently demolished to make way for the new development which includes 11 new wheelchair standard homes, and a mix of one to four-bedroom homes, including semi-detached, terraced, cottage flats and bungalows.

Councillor Heather Brannan-McVey, convener of housing and regeneration, visited the site at Dykehead Road as preparation work commenced and viewed the plans for the council’s largest project to date. The council’s overall new build programme continues to gather momentum and to date, 817 new homes have been completed, with a further 200 under construction and more in the planning stages, reaffirming a commitment to delivering 5,000 new homes by 2035.

The development will be constructed entirely by CCG and will include 19 ‘pilot’ homes that have been designed using an energy strategy that is based upon the firm’s recently-launched ‘Net Zero Home’ building standard. The first homes of their kind in Scotland, advanced construction methods and gas-free energy solutions combine to reduce carbon emissions arising from lightning, heating, pumps and fans to a rate less than or equal to zero. As a result, future tenants will receive significant savings on their annual heating costs.

The progress being made at this site, together with potential new sites identified for future council homes and details of how the council is adding to its housing supply, are all being outlined and considered at the housing and regeneration committee on May 19.

Sites being recommended for future new build homes include Calderigg Place, Airdrie (approximately 30 houses) and the former Petersburn Primary School, Petersburn Road, Airdrie (approximately 40 houses).

Work is also expected to start on site next month at Northburn Avenue, Airdrie, where 31 homes, a mix of one to three bedrooms, including three suitable for wheelchair users, are being built on the site of 28 flats which were recently demolished as part of the re-provisioning programme.

For the Coatbridge area, the council is progressing well with plans to deliver 58 new homes at Lismore Drive in Old Monkland. Seven homes have already been completed with all homes ready for tenants by July. The council is also developing designs for its site on the former Columba High School in Coatbridge. This is another major council house building project with 132 new homes being planned for the area.

Convener, Councillor Heather Brannan-McVey, said: “Our plans are significant and are already having a positive impact on the lives of our tenants and residents across North Lanarkshire’s communities.

“Our new build investment is helping to secure more local jobs and is boosting our economy by delivering community benefits, such as apprenticeships, which are agreed when our contracts are put in place. We’re also ensuring there is a housing mix available to support inclusion by being affordable, energy efficient and suitable for varying needs. We’re doing this not only through our new build homes but by bringing more homes into use through our Open Market Purchase Scheme. It’s important that we increase our supply of homes for rent in support of our tower plans and in meeting the needs and aspirations of our tenants.

“Improving the lives of our tenants and regenerating our local communities and town centres are the drivers behind our plans to realise the council’s vision to make North Lanarkshire the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit.”

The cost of the Holehills development is £27 million with a grant funding contribution of £8.8m being made by the Scottish Government.

CCG managing director, David Wylie, said: “With the de-carbonisation of new build homes commencing as early as 2024, it is important that we take steps towards net zero now by aligning housebuilding strategy with construction methods and technology to ensure that we can meet these ambitious emissions targets as well as sustaining housing demand.

“The CCG Net Zero Home standard is a practical, scalable and affordable solution for the housebuilding sector as it can be tailored to any residential development; with these first 19 homes, we look forward to working collaboratively with the council and our partners to help inform the future of housebuilding in North Lanarkshire.”