1000 New Homes to Complete Regeneration of Mining Village

OnPath Energy Press releases

Public exhibitionsA scheme to create more than 1000 new homes has been unveiled that will help complete the regeneration of part of North Lanarkshire.

Banks Property, in conjunction with partner developers, is behind plans for 1040 new properties at Glenboig, near the Gartcosh Business Exchange, where the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) recently set up its new base.

We have carried out extensive consultation with the local community who say the plans are a boost for the area, which has suffered historically from loss of mining and fire clay works.

Colin Anderson, development director with Banks Property, said: “It’s very exciting to be involved in a development which is helping revive and regenerate an entire area.

“This part of North Lanarkshire has had more than its fair share of knocks and it’s not a stretch to say this project is a crucial part in helping the area to thrive again.

High quality homes

“With the nearby Business Exchange now up and running, there is a very clear need for more high quality homes.  That has been identified in the council’s Local Plan, but more importantly the local people are telling us they want this to go ahead.”

We  expect to submit a planning application to North Lanarkshire Council in May and have been buoyed by the strong interest shown in the development by a number of major housebuilders. If it goes ahead the area will be turned into an attractive development featuring extensive green space and numerous water features.

Teresa Aitken, development manager at the local development trust, Glenboig Neighbourhood House (GNH), said local people were supportive of new homes being created, which they believe will continue the revival of the area.

She added: “This area is fighting back after losing its mines and its brickworks. The thing about coal communities is that when the last pit closes it tears the heart out of the area and leaves a lot of unemployment and other problems behind.

Working tirelessly

“Glenboig Neighbourhood House has been working tirelessly to provide local services for children and older people and has helped build a vibrant community, which actually attracts people to the village.”

GNH believes that an influx of new residents will also help achieve its dream of seeing further services, shops and facilities to blossom in the area and Teresa added:  “With the Business Exchange nearby and our access to roads and transport links we expect more people will want to move into the area, which means we need more houses.

“That will mean quite a dramatic change in the village but it is important to maintain the regeneration of the area, otherwise we would simply stagnate.”

GNH also welcomed the relationship that Banks Property has maintained with its continued contact and dialogue during a planning process which has rumbled on for almost a decade as North Lanarkshire Council has set out its vision for a Community Growth Area which could eventually encompass up to 3000 new homes.

Apprenticeships

Teresa said: “It is a credit to Banks Property that they have kept in touch during a very long process. We now want to see them staying round the table with other developers in the area to discuss the important details, like apprenticeships and other skilled jobs that will be created as part of the development.

“We also want to keep working with developers to see them assist us in our work to create a new Life Centre and extend the existing play facility. We welcome the fact that Banks Property has been willing to sit down with us and discuss their proposals for the area.”

Part of the likely popularity of the site is that it boasts quick and easy access to the M73, M80, M74 and M8, while Gartcosh train station is also nearby.

The 1040 homes earmarked for Glenboig are part of Community Growth Area identified by local planners and the Scottish Government. In total it could see up to 3000 properties created by a number of developers, delivering 2600 constructions jobs and an estimated £1 billion boost to the region.

The plans will be going on show to the public on March 13 and 14 at Glenboig Community Centre, Main Street, Glenboig, between 3-6.30pm each day.