The 12 new homes, a mix of 8 x 3-bedroom terraced houses and 4 x 1-bedroom cottage flats were purchased off-the-shelf from Bellway Homes as part of the council’s Affordable Housing Policy.

This is the latest project completed as part of a new housing programme which aims to deliver 5,000 new homes by 2035.

All homes are built to Housing for Varying Needs Standards, ensuring they can accommodate people with a range of needs. In addition, all homes are Secure by Design, demonstrating improved safety and security through their design.

Housing convener Councillor Michael McPake visited the site and met with local tenant Ms. Jackson. He was joined by Stephen Llewellyn, chief officer, Housing Management; James Stevenson, housing development manager; Bob Brownlie, locality housing manager; Jordan Price, project manager; Gavin Ansari, project development co-ordinator; Gillian Whitehead, housing solutions manager and Jennifer Cowley, Bellway Homes.

Councillor McPake, said: “It’s great to see another successful housing project completed and to see tenants settling into their fantastic new homes.

“As well as building our own new supply of council houses we also, through our Affordable Housing Policy, deliver more houses in areas where need is greatest. These homes were purchased ‘off the shelf’ from the developer with the same high standard of specification we include in our own new builds.

“We are continuing to roll out at pace our new council housing programme which is providing modern, affordable homes for rent, regenerating local communities and delivering a range of community benefits. I wish our new tenants a very happy Christmas in their new homes.”

The development cost £1.78m and was delivered by Bellway Homes. Some other key features include sprinkler systems and PV (solar) panels. The homes are also designed to be sustainable, well insulated and highly energy efficient, benefiting tenants’ comfort and tackling fuel poverty.

Pauline Coates, sales director, Bellway Homes Ltd (Scotland West), added: “It’s terrific to see these new homes coming to life and demonstrates the commitment by North Lanarkshire Council to continue to deliver much needed affordable homes in the community. It’s all the more special that residents will be moved in and settled before Christmas.”

Further homes are due to be purchased from Bellway at its ‘Cloverhill’ development in Gartcosh in 2024. The council said it will continue negotiations with a range of developers to identify and develop opportunities that meet the council’s housing needs in town centre areas and beyond.