Lovell has been appointed by North Lanarkshire Council to build a £3.7 million housing development at Viewpark in North Lanarkshire.

The scheme, part of the council’s Building for the Future programme, will create 40 homes for social rent – 28 semi-detached homes (including two bungalows for wheelchair users) and 12 cottage flats. They are being built on the site of the former St Gabriel’s and Burnhead Primary schools and Hozier Children’s Nursery in Laburnum Road.

The properties are set to be completed in April 2013 and will be built to Secured by Design standards. They also incorporate solar hot water heating panels.

Working in collaboration with North Lanarkshire’s Working, Lovell will create a number of job and training opportunities through the construction programme. This will include recruiting an apprentice through the ‘Adopt an Apprentice’ scheme and taking on a local person as a labourer. The company will also provide work experience placements for students at local schools and colleges.


The project was awarded through a competitive tender as part of a framework agreement.

Mary Castles, Executive Director of Housing and Social Work Services for North Lanarkshire Council, said: "Our £150 million Building for the Future programme will deliver 1,000 houses by 2020, which is very positive news for local communities and for the local economy. The 40 properties planned for Viewpark will provide much-needed high quality, affordable, accessible homes for local people. Tenants who have already moved into our new properties at other locations in North Lanarkshire have said how pleased they are with the standard of build and fittings and with their new homes overall.

"We are delighted to be continuing our strong working relationship with North Lanarkshire Council using our expertise in new-build housing to deliver these new affordable homes, built to a high standard," said Lovell regional director Alan Taylor. Lovell has previously built a number of successful schemes for the local authority, including a 20-home development at Holytown as well as carrying out overcladding work to eight tower blocks.

(GK)