Coltness is the 18th council housing development completed as part of its NL Homes new build programme, which will see 2,150 homes built by 2027.

The Provost of North Lanarkshire, Councillor Jean Jones, unveiled the plaque officially opening the new development of 20 homes.

Also marking the occasion were Councillor Allan Graham, convener of enterprise and housing; local councillors, Nicky Shevlin, Robert McKendrick, Cameron McManus and Louise Roarty and representatives from North Lanarkshire Council and Robertson Partnership Homes.

The 400th tenants, Mr & Mrs Welsh, are loving their new home, and are both in agreement that it’s the best move they’ve ever made.

They said: “We settled in immediately and our new home is really energy efficient and well insulated, and more manageable that our last home.

“We’ve already met our new neighbours and it’s a very friendly environment. We’re excited to spend our first Christmas here and have already bought a new Christmas tree. We’re looking forward to a very happy future in our new home.”

This Walkerburn Drive development, built by Robertson Partnership Homes, features twenty new homes: five, two bedroom homes; two, three bedroom homes (one of which is a wheelchair designed bungalow); one, four bedroom wheelchair designed home; two, two bedroom bungalows (one amenity and one wheelchair designed); four two bedroom cottage flats and six one bedroom cottage flats.

All of the new homes are built with energy efficiency in mind to help minimise running costs for tenants. They meet Housing for Varying Needs standards and are ‘Secured by Design’ accredited, which involves Police Scotland architectural liaison officers having input into the layout and design to ensure safe and secure environments.

Provost Jones said: “It’s a pleasure to officiate at the openings of our new council housing developments across North Lanarkshire and I was delighted to play a part in the opening at our latest completed site in Coltness.

“I love speaking to the tenants living in our new homes and hearing about their experiences, which are very positive. North Lanarkshire Council has a very ambitious new build housing programme and I’m confident we will continue to make significant progress in improving local communities across North Lanarkshire and the lives of our tenants.”

Stewart Shearer, managing director for Robertson Partnership Homes, added: “The opening of this ambitious house building development at Coltness will bring 20 high quality, flexible and affordable homes to the community in an investment worth £2.1m. The Coltness development is one of eight projects we’re working on in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council, and all of them were procured through Scape Group’s National Major Works framework.

“The completion brings us one step closer to building more than 2,000 new homes in the area - one of the biggest council house building programmes in Scotland in a generation and truly transformative for the communities involved.”

The Scottish Government contributes towards the development costs at each site.