North Lanarkshire Council long-term plans in place to demolish all its tower blocks and a number of low-rise properties and replace them with 5,000 modern homes.

Despite significant disruption caused during the health pandemic, works have continued with the next site at Burnside Court, Coatbridge due for full demolition by December this year. Plans are also at an advanced stage to demolish a number of low-rise properties in Gowkthrapple, Wishaw.

Groundworks have begun at the site of three former towers at Holehills, Airdrie for extensive future housing development which will see the construction of 158 new homes for rent.

Stephen Llewellyn, head of housing solutions, said: “This ambitious programme aims to deliver quality new homes and regeneration for our communities.

“Although building and demolition has been impacted by coronavirus restrictions, we have still achieved substantial progress in moving our programme of works forward.

“The first phase plan includes the demolition of 15 towers and a number of low-rise blocks. We have made significant progress in reducing tenancies in these blocks as our plans for providing quality modern homes gathers momentum. Of the initial 1,700 properties, we now have 1155 empty flats and we have agreed future housing options with the majority of tenants remaining in those other homes.”

As part of the wider tower strategy, major investment and improvement works were agreed for towers forming later stages of the re-provisioning programme. This includes some blocks being fitted with new windows, cladding systems, enhanced entrances and lighting, individual flat sprinklers, fire doors and electrical vehicle charging points.

Major structural and refurbishment work is also continuing at Blairgrove, Merryston, Glen and Millbrae Court in Coatbridge.

Fire safety measures are also progressing in blocks not scheduled for demolition until later in the phased programme. These include new fire doors and smoke detectors being fitted with the new detectors now fully operational in 21 blocks. The remaining blocks will be completed in line with the fire door programme.

New sprinkler systems have been installed at Birkshaw Tower, Wishaw with works now extending to three tower blocks in Motherwell at Burnside, Lodge and Doonside Towers.