Work is underway on 75 new council homes in Cumbernauld, bringing much-needed affordable housing to the area as part of the wider Firview development, south of Forest Road.
The project is the council’s largest purchase of homes directly from a developer to date, helping provide more local people and families with a place they can call home.
The council is purchasing the homes directly from developer Bellway Homes through its Affordable Housing Policy. The homes will form part of the wider Firview development, which is one of the initial residential phases being delivered as part of the South Cumbernauld Community Growth Area (CGA) Strategic Development Framework. It will see Bellway provide a range of new private and affordable housing, with the council’s investment helping to ensure more homes are available for local people.
Local councillors joined Housing Convener Councillor Michael McPake at the site for a recent sod-cutting ceremony to mark the start of construction on the council housing element of the development.
The new council homes will include 10 one and two-bedroom cottage flats for amenity housing, a further 10 general needs cottage flats, 31 two-bedroom houses and 24 three-bedroom houses.
Councillor Michael McPake, Convener of Housing, said: “This is a really positive development for Cumbernauld and will provide 75 much-needed council homes for local people and families.
“It's great to see work getting underway, and I want to recognise the support of our local elected members in helping bring this project forward. Working with developers through our Affordable Housing Policy gives us another important way of increasing the supply of quality, affordable homes in areas where they are needed most.
“These homes will make a real difference to people looking for a secure, affordable place to call home and will help us continue to deliver on our commitment to provide 6,000 new council homes by 2035.”
The first homes are expected to be completed in summer 2027, with final handovers scheduled to take place in autumn 2028. The £13.692 million project is supported by the Scottish Government and represents the largest off-the-shelf housing acquisition undertaken by council so far.
Fraser Conn, Regional Managing Director, Bellway Homes Ltd (Glasgow West), said, “We’re delighted to have supported North Lanarkshire Council in delivering the first phase of affordable homes at Mid Forest. This marks an important milestone in the creation of an exciting new residential development that will take shape over the coming years and enhance the local community.”
Under the Affordable Housing Policy, private developers are required to provide affordable housing or make a financial contribution towards its delivery in areas of high housing demand.