Plans have been brought forward for around 450 new homes at the site of a former Scottish steelworks.

The plans for the major residential development would also include "substantial areas of landscaped public open space".

The proposals for the site of the former Clydesdale Steelworks at Bellshill to the east of Glasgow have been submitted to North Lanarkshire Council.

Developer Banks Property and homebuilder Miller Homes have put forward a joint planning application that would see 451 homes built on the 33-hectare brownfield site in New Stevenston, which is allocated for residential development in the council’s most recent housing land audit.

The Clydesdale development proposes a wide variety of property types, as well as substantial areas of landscaped public open space and a number of formal play areas.

Banks Property and Miller Homes have held a number of public consultation events about the project over the last two years, with visitor feedback highlighting the local community’s desire to see the site rejuvenated and brought into proper use.

The plansThe plans (Image: Banks Property)
A full remediation of the site would be carried out as part of this new application before any construction work begins.

The new planning application is expected to come before North Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee next year, with work set to start on site as soon as possible if it is approved.

James Seabury, principal development planner at Banks Property, said: “We’re working to transform a brownfield site which has become badly affected by fly tipping and anti-social behaviour into a modern, sustainable residential development, and we’re very pleased to have reached this landmark on the journey towards making it happen.

“The Clydesdale development would help increase the supply of high-quality homes and would offer a range of different house types, enabling more people to stay in or move to the area.

“We’re excited by the opportunities presented at the Clydesdale site and the multiple benefits it would deliver to the local community.”

Andrew McArthur, Regional Operations Director for Miller Homes Scotland West, adds: “This new site presents a significant opportunity for both Banks Property and Miller Homes to deliver much-needed housing for the North Lanarkshire community, addressing the continuous demand for new build homes.

“Our energy-efficient homes would transform this site into a thriving new community, giving families and those wishing to settle down in Bellshill the chance to enjoy suburban living, ample local amenities and strong transport links to the wider central belt and Glasgow city centre.”


Scottish rocket company wins fresh European funding

Scottish launch services company Orbex has extended its contract with the Boost programme run by the European Space Agency (ESA), securing additional funding of €5.6 million (£4.7m).

The fresh cash injection will help Orbex move towards the initial launch of its Prime rocket next year, supporting more than 200 jobs at its operations in Scotland and Denmark. Headquartered in Forres, Orbex is one of only two space rocket manufacturers in the UK and also operates the Sutherland Spaceport currently under construction on the A' Mhoine peninsula on the north coast of Scotland.

“We welcome this further €5.6m extension of funding from the European Space Agency's Boost programme," Orbex chief executive Phil Chambers said.


Scots among thousands of farmers descending on Westminster for protest

The Government is facing calls from farmers and opposition parties to scrap its changes to agricultural inheritance tax ahead of protests in Westminster.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is holding a mass lobby of MPs with 1,800 of its members – three times as many people as originally planned – to urge backbenchers to stand up to the Government’s plans to impose inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1 million.

Farmers from Scotland, as well as England, Northern Ireland and Wales, are expected to attend.