The scale of an already ambitious programme of new build council housing in South Lanarkshire has been dramatically increased with a new ambition to complete 1000 extra homes by 2022.

The new target doubles the figure South Lanarkshire Council had set for the new homes programme and sits alongside the housing improvement works which continue to raise the standard of all council housing in the region.

Delivering much needed affordable homes, work is currently ongoing towards meeting this target and a further 8 projects that will deliver 204 new homes, are scheduled to go on site in 2017/18 in communities across South Lanarkshire.

The new homes are being designed to both high quality and space standards and in a range of innovative & flexible styles to suit varying needs.

Modern design and insulation, and the incorporation of renewable technologies such as solar panels, will also ensure that the new homes are energy efficient and cheaper to run benefitting both the environment as well as household budgets.

South Lanarkshire Council chair of housing and technical resources, Councillor Alex McInnes, said: “South Lanarkshire Council’s HOME+ programme is delivering both improvements to our existing housing stock and building excellent new homes right across the council helping the council to meet its commitment to the provision of high quality accommodation and improving the lives of our tenants and communities.

Executive director of South Lanarkshire Council housing and technical resources, Daniel Lowe, added: “1000 new homes by 2021/22 is an ambitious target but, with support from the Scottish Government, one that we will look to meet while adding value in terms of a range of other community benefits including employment and training opportunities. We currently have a number of sites nearing completion, including 12 amenity standard flats in Uddingston, and only this week saw planning approval for a new development of 24 homes in Carluke.”