WORK TO DELIVER SIX NEW COMMUNITIES COMPLETES IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE

Work has officially completed on a landmark project to deliver 139 affordable homes across North Lanarkshire.

Robertson Partnership Homes, the affordable homes division of Robertson – one of the UK’s leading infrastructure companies – built the units across six sites, in a project spanning over two and a half years, which were procured via Major Works, Scotland; part of the Scape National Construction framework.

Part of North Lanarkshire Council’s NL Homes project, it has provided modern homes for dozens of families.

The homes themselves are built for the future, with features including energy efficient materials to help minimise running costs for tenants, accessibility for tenants with different mobility requirements and ‘Secured by Design’ layout accreditations, which ensure safe and secure environments.

James Freel, Managing Director of Robertson Partnership Homes, said: “We’re hugely proud to have played our part in delivering 175 high quality new homes that will undoubtedly transform the communities they are in.

“The project saw six former brownfield sites redeveloped, taking into consideration the surrounding environment and helping to further develop the local area and local economy.

“North Lanarkshire Council has pledged to deliver 5,000 new homes by 2035, so we’re really pleased to have played our part in helping them meet this ambitious goal, that will be life changing for so many people.”

Convener of Communities and Housing, Councillor Heather Brannan-McVey said: “Providing new, affordable homes is a priority for North Lanarkshire Council and we’re undertaking a hugely ambitious new house building programme to deliver 5,000 homes by 2035.

“All of our new homes are built to the highest standard and designed for the future, with energy efficient measures and specification that means homes are more accessible to adapt to tenants’ mobility needs. It’s always pleasing to officially open these new sites and speak to tenants living in their homes. The standard of build is very high, as are the tenant satisfaction levels for our new homes.

“We are making excellent progress in the delivery of our target – which wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of partners such as Robertson Partnership Homes. We’re delighted to work together to transform communities and make North Lanarkshire the place to live.”

The sites completed by Robertson Partnership Homes include: Blair Road, Coatbridge; School Street, Coatbridge; Brown Road, Cumbernauld; Cairnhill Road, Airdrie; Clydesdale Street, New Stevenston and Draffen Street (Calder Court), Motherwell.

Several sites received Considerate Constructors’ Scheme recognition for care for appearance, the community, the environment, safety, and the workforce.

Several community benefits were put in place throughout the builds, including a total of 2,641 people attending site visits, careers, skills and STEM workshops as well as the delivery of 802 apprenticeship weeks and 319 work experience weeks. During the course of the builds, over 3,000 individuals completed training courses.

The project was procured through Scape Group’s National Major Works Framework, part of the (Scape) National Construction framework, and delivered by Robertson in partnership with Willmott Dixon.  Scape Group is a public sector owned built environment specialist offering a full suite of national frameworks and innovative design solutions.

Mark Robinson, Scape Group chief executive said: “homes that are affordable are vital in ensuring communities can stay in their local area and continue to grow. By North Lanarkshire Council procuring these home through Major Works Scotland, the new homes have been delivered by Robertson, using talented local workforce, bringing socioeconomic benefits and embedded social value.”

In a separate project, Robertson built a total of 36 units at Coltness and Tannochside for North Lanarkshire Council, with work completing in summer 2017.