South Lanarkshire Council has broken ground on a new housing development in Blantyre.

Built on the site of the former St Blane’s Primary School, the development will see 20 properties of two-, three- and four-bedroom semi-detached family homes and one- and two-bedroom cottage flats.

The homes are due to be completed and handed over by February 2019.

Councillor Josh Wilson, South Lanarkshire Council’s chair of housing and technical resources, carried out the traditional cutting of the first sod and revealed that the development will also see a significant milestone achieved.

He said: “This site will see the completion of the 300th new council home since our programme started in 2015 with households across South Lanarkshire benefitting from all the advantages a new-build property brings.

“As with all our developments, the new homes on this site will meet the latest standards in energy efficiency, saving tenants hundreds of pounds a year on fuel bills and helping to protect the environment.”

Daniel Lowe, executive director of housing and technical resources, added: “Our Home+ programme continues to go from strength to strength and demonstrates South Lanarkshire Council’s commitment to meeting key priorities in our Local Housing Strategy, which include increasing the supply of affordable housing, tackling fuel poverty and promoting sustainable communities.

“In addition to St Blane’s, construction is ongoing at five sites to build 118 new homes in the Hamilton, East Kilbride and Clydesdale areas.

“With a further three sites due to start by Summer 2018, we are well on the way to meeting our target of 1000 new build homes by 2021.”

For Annette Finnan, South Lanarkshire Council’s head of housing services, the event brought back happy memories.

A former pupil of the school that had stood on the site where the houses are now being built, Annette said: “I have fond memories of my time at St Blane’s Primary and I’m delighted to be part of the team which is working to provide new homes on this site as well as for residents across South Lanarkshire.”

Designed by Smith Scott Mullen Architects, the homes will be built by Glasgow company Cruden Building and Renewals Ltd.

Gordon Lee, partnering and procurement director for Cruden Building, said: “We are pleased to begin another project with South Lanarkshire Council as work gets underway, delivering this important housing development at St Blane’s.

“All the homes will be eco-friendly, ensuring residents benefit from warmer homes that have fewer carbon emissions and are more economical to run.

“As with all of our developments, we will work closely with local companies and bring a number of benefits to this community. Throughout this project we will provide jobs to local people and create a number of work placements, as well as modern apprenticeship and training opportunities for young people.”