These high-quality and energy-efficient homes will reflect the growing need for affordable housing across Scotland and will be supported by Scottish Government grant funding.

Future homes will be built to meet the Scottish Government’s decarbonisation targets and will
include zero-emission heating and electric vehicle charging points.

The council also has the option to buy back former council homes to meet particular needs in high demand areas. The criteria for this has recently been extended and properties can now be bought back directly from owners, where they are registered as long-term empty, or where a landlord is participating in the private-rented sector and intends to sell their property.

An update on recently completed new build developments, as well as those currently underway across South Lanarkshire, is detailed below:

Strathaven

Kirk Street, Strathaven is a development of 20 flats and is located within the centre of Strathaven’s conservation area. The development comprises a three and four-storey block with lift and wheelchair access. Parking is available at the rear courtyard.

The development has been built to meet specific Planning requirements to ensure it is in keeping with the conversation area.  Features include a slate roof, wet dash render and timber windows.

New Head of Housing Services, Sharon Egan recently visited the development to see how work is progressing (featured on the front cover) and said: “This development will provide much needed new affordable homes in the town, and I’m pleased it blends in well with the surrounding area.”

Larkhall

In March 2023, the first tenants moved into their new homes at our most recent development, on the
site of the former Craigbank Primary School at Avon Road in Larkhall.

Handovers continued throughout the spring, with the final tenants due to move in at the end of June. Constructed in partnership with Cruden and Hub
South West, the completion of this development brings a further 38 new-build homes to the Larkhall area.

Hamilton

There are two exciting developments underway in Hamilton.

To mark the start of our development at Brackenhill Farm, a sod cutting event took place in May 2023 with representatives from Taylor Wimpey and the council.  Fifty new homes for social rent are being built at this site (just north of Meikle Earnock Road) which is part of the Hamilton Community Growth Area.  The development will comprise 16 cottage flats and 34 family homes of varying sizes. Completion is expected spring 2024.

Our development at Wellhall Road (the former Philips Factory site) will provide 40 homes consisting of 18 two-storey flats with three of the six ground floor flats wheelchair accessible. There is also a range of two and three bedroom terraced houses and completion is expected early 2024.

Stephen Gibson, Executive Director of Housing and Technical Resources, said: “Our new target follows on from the delivery of our previous target of 1,000 new council homes and shows our commitment to delivering affordable housing that suits the varying needs of the people living in South Lanarkshire.”