The former Tesco site adjacent to The Commercial Hotel has lain derelict for a decade.

Plans to redevelop the site were initially unveiled by Wishaw & District Housing Association (WDHA), which completed a transfer of engagements to Trust last December.

A commitment to the project was one of several pledges made by Trust during the tenant consultation for the transfer.

The three-story development will consist of 42 flats, which will be a mix of one, two and three-bedroom properties.

Gregor Colville, head of housing for the Trust group in Wishaw, is delighted to have secured planning permission.

He said: “It’s a real key milestone for the association. To be able to build houses on that site which has been derelict for so long is really good news for the town. It’s been a long, long time in coming.

“After the transfer of Wishaw and District Housing Association we picked up the mantle.

“One of the promises we made to Wishaw tenants was that we would complete Main Street, so we are absolutely delighted to have been able to secure planning approval subject to legal agreement.”

Mr Colville added: “There is a desperate need for affordable housing in North Lanarkshire and it’s been a long time since WDHA, as it was then, built any new social housing, so we are delighted to be delivering that. We’re hoping to be on site by Easter and, with a fair wind, have it completed in around 18 months.”

Rhona McLeod, chief executive of Trust Housing Association, said: “The development of new affordable housing at Main Street was one of the key promises made by Trust Housing Association to Wishaw and District Housing Association tenants during last year’s Transfer of Engagements.

“Having just marked the anniversary of the transfer on December 1, I am delighted to announce that planning permission, subject to legal agreement, for 42 much-needed new socially rented homes has been approved.

“Planning approval is a key milestone in the development of the site for both the town of Wishaw and Trust HA. I would like to thank our partners at North Lanarkshire Council and all those who have helped us in securing it.”