The new development, which has transformed East Whitlawburn, brings 311 new homes to the area as a result of a strategic housing partnership between South Lanarkshire Council, West Whitlawburn Housing Co-operative, CCG (Scotland) Ltd and hub South West. 

A total of 230 socially rented homes will be created alongside 81 homes that will be sold for sale by CCG Homes, the private housing arm of the CCG Group.

Gail McCowan, 91, first moved to Arkle Terrace in the early 1970s. And moving into her new, modern amenity flat in Rona Terrace means she can continue to stay in the community, close to her family and friends.

The first properties completed, with people moving in at the beginning of February, were the 24 accessible amenity flats suitable for elderly residents such as Gail, and the next 24 mainstream flats will be ready for occupation at the end of this month. 

Phase One of the project is due to be completed by August of this year, with 140 properties available for rent. 

Gail said: “Having lived in this area for so long, I was delighted at the opportunity to be able to remain in the place I am happy to call home.

“The whole move was a bit overwhelming at first but I am absolutely delighted with the new house.

“The kitchen is a fantastic size with all mod-cons and much better than my previous house.

“I can’t wait until there is hopefully an easing of the current restrictions and I am able to get out and about and meet my neighbours.

“It will be great if we can do that by the summer – and the lift in the flats will mean I can get up and down easily enough.

“The people in this area are all very friendly and go out of their way to help and look out for one another – that’s what I love about staying here.”

Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s housing and technical resources committee, Councillor Josh Wilson, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to meet Gail and to hear her stories about Whitlawburn and how the area has changed so much over the years.

“You really get a sense of the community spirit Whitlawburn has by speaking to people like Gail – and of course I am delighted we have been able to provide her with a new home which enables her to continue to live independently in the area.

“As a council we are determined to continue to deliver homes that meet the highest building standards, with quality insulation and energy-efficient boilers and glazing.

“But more importantly, we recognise that it is the people that make any area a community – and Gail is one of the many folk that are the absolute heartbeat of Whitlawburn.”

The regeneration of the Whitlawburn area is a £42 million project and forms part of a wider ambitious programme that will see 1,000 additional homes delivered by the council by 2022.

The council’s executive director of housing and technical resources, Daniel Lowe, said: “The scale and size of the regeneration of this area was of course ambitious, but we knew with the support of our partners it was something we would be able to achieve.

“I am delighted with how the plans are progressing, and it is great that someone like Gail, who has such an affinity for Whitlawburn, is one of the first residents.” 

As a direct result of CCG’s involvement in the delivery of the project, a number of significant benefits to the wider Cambuslang community will also be created with the provision of jobs, training opportunities and localised investment.

CCG director and managing director of CCG Homes, Calum Murray, said: “The regeneration of East Whitlawburn is a new vision for housebuilding in Cambuslang and South Lanarkshire. The partnership philosophy for the project has not only enabled the delivery of high-quality, energy efficient homes but also a lasting legacy for the surrounding community. 

“I am proud to state that CCG (Scotland) has, so far, created 7 new jobs; 5 trade apprenticeships; 4 work placements and provided curriculum support for local schools as well as committing a £50,000 donation towards community-based projects.”

Michael McBrearty, chief executive of development partner hub South West, added: “We are delighted to see the first residents settling into this fantastic development. 

“The regeneration of East Whitlawburn is an innovative and important project and we look forward to welcoming further residents once works are completed in 2022.”