Homes scheme on track

As the country’s biggest social housing landlord (Glasgow passed responsibility for its council housing to local housing associations), North Lanarkshire Council is under continual pressure to create more homes.

But according to the authority the new properties it is creating are an investment in the future designed – literally – to deliver lasting value.

This in sharp contrast to short term emergency solutions to housing needs in past decades (for example in Glasgow) which ultimately created problems of their own.

The new homes all meet several minimum specifications considered essential for quality of life, and amount to a blueprint for the way the council’s housing stock will gradually evolve.

Developments said to be making progress include 30 new homes in Cumbernauld’s Cardowan Drive, and work is underway on the site of the former St Patrick’s Primary School in Fisher Avenue, Kilsyth.

Housing convener Councillor Sam Love said: “We’re investing heavily in providing high quality homes and are on course to realise our ambitious aim of delivering 1,150 new homes by 2020.”

All of the council’s projects to date have received a contribution from the Scottish Government, and all are being built with energy efficiency in mind.

This in turn is reckoned to help minimise running costs for tenants.

The homes also meet Housing for Varying Needs specification, meaning homes are more accessible to adapt to meet tenants’ future mobility needs.

And they meet Secure by Design accreditation, which involves architectural liaison officers from Police Scotland having input into designs.