The site at Dimsdale Road will feature 61 new, modern, affordable homes for local residents. A mix of homes are being built to meet a wide range of needs and include 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes (two of the 4-bedroom houses are built to wheelchair standard); 1 and 2-bedroom cottage flats; two 3-bedroom wheelchair bungalows and two 2-bedroom wheelchair bungalows.

The £10.6 million development is being delivered by CCG (Scotland) Ltd, with a contribution to each development being made by the Scottish Government.

The council said it is continuing to drive forward its pledge to deliver 5,000 new homes by 2035 and this latest development is the 38th site in North Lanarkshire now complete or underway.

Cutting the sod was Councilor Heather Brannan-McVey, convener of housing and regeneration, who was joined by local members Councillors Fiona Fotheringham and Jim Hume, council officers and representatives from contractor, CCG (Scotland) Ltd.

Councillor Brannan-McVey said: “Today marks the first of a number of exciting events planned by our new build team signalling the real progress we’re making in providing fantastic new homes for our residents.

“Our new build homes are built to the highest standards with energy efficiency measures to help save on running costs for tenants and they all meet Housing for Varying Needs, which means homes are more accessible to adapt to tenants’ mobility needs. They are built for the future and will last for generations to come.

“We’ve just received confirmation that two of our new build developments have been shortlisted as finalists for the Scottish Homes Awards – testament to the first-class new builds we’re delivering.

“I look forward to watching the progress on this site and to visiting the tenants making our new builds their homes.”

Calum Murray, CCG director, added: “Dimsdale Road represents the second development to get underway as part of CCG and North Lanarkshire Council’s strategic partnership that will see the creation of high-quality, energy efficient, affordable homes as well as a wide range of community benefits including jobs, apprenticeships and locally-based investment.

“We thank North Lanarkshire Council for their ongoing support as we move towards the completion of Dimsdale Road in early- 2021.”