The council’s housing and regeneration committee approved the inclusion of sites at Coshneuk Road, Stepps (around 16 new homes) and Caledonian Road, Wishaw, the former Methodist Church (around nine new homes).

It was also agreed to progress the ‘off the shelf’ purchase of 24 flats at the former Kingfisher pub site, Dowanfield Road, Cumbernauld, from Zoom Developments, and under the council’s Affordable Housing Policy obligation, 12 new homes at Gartferry Road, Moodiesburn, from Bellway - both subject to planning approval.

The plans are driving forward the council’s ambitious programme to deliver 5,000 new homes by 2035. North Lanarkshire Council said it is making significant progress; to date, it has completed 839 new build homes with a further 333 under construction and have over 30 projects at the design development or planning stage.

The sites are recommended for inclusion within the new build programme subject to the conclusion of detailed ground investigations, full title checks and relevant statutory consents. ‘Off the shelf’ acquisition price will be subject to a future report to the council’s finance and resources committee.

In support of the new homes the council is building, it is also ensuring the number of affordable homes available for tenants is maximised. North Lanarkshire Council is doing this by way of its buy back scheme which has already seen 499 more homes available to rent and its Development Pathfinder approach which allows the council to purchase new build homes directly from developers while ensuring the same high standard of specification is delivered.

Councillor Heather Brannan-McVey, convener of housing and regeneration, said: “Our new council house building programme continues to gather momentum and roll out at pace. To maintain this, we must ensure an adequate supply of sites is available, particularly as our approved re-provisioning plans to demolish our multi-storey flats over the next 20 years continue. We’re identifying sites and increasing supply to assist and support the future phases of our plans.

“Improving the lives of our residents and regenerating local communities are the drivers behind our plans. Our housing programme is transforming local communities by using empty or derelict sites for our new homes, providing jobs that boost the local economy and is meeting the needs and aspirations of our tenants now and for the future. We’re making real progress with our investment and developments across all of our local communities and realising our ambition for North Lanarkshire.”