The eleven new homes, built by contractor CCG (Scotland) Ltd, present no additional carbon to the environment, maximise energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy.

Key features include enhanced insulation, triple-glazed windows, air source heat pumps which control heating and store hot water and additional PV solar panels which feed into a battery allowing the storage of energy. These batteries can also take advantage of variable energy tariffs, topping up during cheaper off-peak periods allowing the storage of energy which can be used when the tenant needs it.

The net-zero homes, which form part of thelargest council house project at the Dykehead Road site in Airdrie, will now be allocated to tenants.

A video highlighting the new homes can be found below:

This is the first phase of homes for this re-provisioning site where towers were demolished and are being replaced by 150 new, modern homes. The eleven homes comprise 2 semi-detached houses (2 bedrooms); 2 semi-detached houses (3 bedrooms); 2 cottage flats (2 bedrooms); 4 terraced houses (2 bedrooms) and 1 terraced house (3 bedrooms).

Housing convener, Councillor Heather Brannan-McVey, said: “I’m delighted to see our first net zero homes available for tenants here in North Lanarkshire. These homes reaffirm our commitment to embracing and investing in new technology that improves energy efficiency and comforts for our tenants, reduces emissions and consumption while minimising fuel poverty.

“We’ve all seen the impact of climate change caused by human activity and greenhouse gases and in response to the climate emergency the council set a net zero target for 2030. We’re taking steps towards this by aligning our housebuilding strategy with construction methods and technology, ensuring we can meet these ambitious emissions targets as well as sustaining housing demand.

“We are committed to transforming towns and communities and delivering on our plans for the future of North Lanarkshire to make it a better place for people to live in, and our council house programme is vital to that ambition.”

CCG managing director, David Wylie, added: “The handover of these new homes marks a significant milestone for CCG as they are the first to be completed since we launched our Net Zero Home building standard in 2020. It is fitting that we have achieved this at Dykehead Road, a major regeneration scheme for North Lanarkshire Council who are also one of our largest clients. I am in no doubt that the new tenants will see a remarkable difference to their fuel bills, which is testament to our work during this cost-of-living crisis and commend the council for taking the steps forward to wider net zero housing delivery. We look forward to handing over the remainder of the development over the course of this year.”

All the council’s new build housing projects deliver a range of community benefits including employment opportunities, boosting the economy and supporting local projects.

The site at Dykehead Road has delivered two new starts, three new apprenticeships and five work placements. Over 200 pupils from schools across North Lanarkshire signed up for the developing the young workforce sessions on trade apprenticeships.

Two tonnes of soil were donated to North Lanarkshire’s community justice team for projects and a monetary donation to the Airdrie collection point for the North Lanarkshire foodbank, together with £2,000 for the council’s participatory budget were made.

The 150 new home development costs £25.5m and is supported by a grant funding contribution of £9.7m from the Scottish Government.