North Lanarkshire Council has unveiled proposals to more than double its affordable home plans by pledging to deliver 5,000 homes by 2035.

Subject to committee approval on Thursday May 10, the plans will bring new jobs and opportunities to the area, regenerate local communities and ultimately transform town centres into vibrant, multi-use spaces that are more relevant to modern lifestyles.

The council intends to meet the 5,000 target by increasing its current commitment to build 2,150 new council homes, together with significantly expanding the purchase of properties through the Open Market Purchase Scheme and breathing life back into towns and derelict homes by means of the Empty Homes Purchase Scheme. Over 500 new homes are already complete.

These plans form part of the council’s long term ambition to provide better homes, regenerate town centres and create jobs, while investing around half a billion pounds across North Lanarkshire.

Consultation is already underway on the first stage of the housing plans which will likely see the area’s tower blocks demolished to make way for new attractive, accessible homes that the council believes will better meet the needs and aspirations of tenants. Initial feedback from the consultation confirms that there is strong support for the proposal and work will continue to identify new sites, including town centre areas, to increase the opportunity for housing development.

The Open Market Purchase Scheme allows the council to buy homes for sale in the local housing market to increase supply of available council homes to rent. Progress is already being made with early purchases almost nearing completion and many more in the pipeline. Over 100 homes have already been brought back into use through the Empty Homes Purchase Scheme.

Councillor Allan Graham, convener of enterprise and housing, said: “Improving the lives of our tenants and regenerating our local communities and town centres are the drivers behind our long term ambition.

“These are hugely exciting and ambitious plans. North Lanarkshire Council is Scotland’s largest council landlord and we are in the midst of the biggest council housebuilding programme in a generation in Scotland.

“We’ll be creating local jobs and training, strengthening our local economy over a sustained period and changing the way people live and work by regenerating our town centres. It’s an exciting time for North Lanarkshire and our plans clearly demonstrate our ambitions and aspirations for the area and its residents.”