North Lanarkshire Council has confirmed the appointment of leading regeneration specialist ENGIE for an extensive refurbishment programme on four 16-storey housing blocks in Coatbridge, worth a collective £18.5m.
Significant renovation work will be taking place at Blairgrove and Merryston Towers, as well as Glen Court and Millbrae Court, as part of the council’s long-term commitment to investing in existing stock.
The refurbishment will include essential structural repairs, energy efficiency measures and upgrades to communal areas. Scope of works will include roof repairs, new windows to all flats and shared spaces; individual flat sprinklers and new fire doors; new lighting and cladding systems; and the installation of electrical vehicle and mobility vehicle charging points.
ENGIE has confirmed the application of a long-term investment approach, which will see the company work with the council and other local community groups and enterprises to establish additional community investment that will enrich lives. This will also include employment and training opportunities for local people and businesses throughout the duration of the build.
Brian Pettigrew, Regional Managing Director for ENGIE’s Places & Communities division, said: “Our offices are based in North Lanarkshire and we have longstanding relationships with the local council; sharing their vision of improving lives through fit for purpose housing and opportunities for all.
“The programme of improvement works will improve the visual appearance of the blocks, as well as offering a safer and more sustainable home for residents, that will enhance quality of lives, increase energy efficiency and reduce utility bills.
“This project is hugely important to us and, as with all of our regeneration projects across the UK, we are committed to scoping out wider local community investment and training opportunities that create sustainable places for everyone to work and live in.
Heather McVey, Convener of Communities and Housing added: “As part of our long-term ambitious tower re-provisioning programme, we made the commitment to continue investing in our existing stock.
“Since 2016 we have been carrying our structural surveys of all our towers and identified associated improvement works. This latest contract of works will provide modern improvements for our tenants’ and will hugely improve the look, safety and feel of these tower blocks.”
Work on the four blocks in Coatbridge is scheduled to begin in May this year, with ENGIE anticipated to complete the work by May 2020.
