Proposed Stepps housing development ‘would create more than 140 jobs and deliver significant economic boost’
Plans lodged by Barratt Homes West Scotland and CALA Homes (West) to build a high-quality residential development in Stepps, North Lanarkshire, would support more than 140 new jobs and generate an additional £34 million of gross value added (GVA) if approved, according to new research.
The figures were released as part of a Matters Specified in Conditions planning application submitted by the housebuilders.
The housebuilders aim to construct 199 new homes, including 30 much needed affordable homes, at Gateside Farm, Stepps, helping to address a local housing shortage. More than 670 people are currently waiting for social housing in the Stepps/Cardowan area.
The Gateside Farm site, near the M80, was granted Planning Permission in Principle for a residential development of up to 200 homes in July 2018 and is allocated for housing development in the North Lanarkshire Modified Proposed Local Development Plan.
Economic impact analysis commissioned by Barratt and CALA estimates the new development would cost £31m to build and generate an additional £34m of gross value added (GVA) over the four-year construction phase.
As well as securing 63 direct construction jobs annually – including four highly prized apprenticeships - the development would support a further 84 jobs in the supply chain and wider local economy.
The independent research was carried out on behalf of the housebuilders by global architecture, planning and engineering firm Stantec.
David Scott, managing director of Barratt Homes West Scotland, said: “As a North Lanarkshire-based business, I’m extremely proud of the proposals we’ve submitted for Stepps.
“If approved, Barratt will build 30 new affordable homes on the site in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council, providing families in need with high quality sustainable, energy efficient housing, and a more, settled, secure future.”
Jim McIntyre, managing director, Cala Homes (West), said: “At a time when the pandemic has inflicted untold damage on the economy, the proposals we’ve submitted with Barratt Homes offer a remarkable opportunity to secure new jobs locally and stimulate growth.
“Together, we have a strong track record of supporting the North Lanarkshire area with high quality developments and our proposals will ensure there is a wider variety of housing available to support the local community as needs change.”
The AMSC planning application submitted in November 2020 is the second to be lodged by the housebuilders after a previous bid was refused by the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals division (DPEA).
Since then, the developers have spent 12 months reviewing and developing their designs to reflect comments from the Reporter and local community. The latest proposals reduce the footprint of the development by 17% allowing substantial areas of open space to be incorporated, including a new village green and play park. Landscaping around the development’s boundary has also been increased, to help conserve the rural character of the site.
As part of the proposals, CALA Homes (West) and Barratt Homes have committed to contribute £1.55m towards educational provision across North Lanarkshire which will support capacity at both local primary and secondary schools.