North Lanarkshire Council and Bellway Begin 75 Homes in Cumbernauld 2026

Key Points

• Construction has commenced on 75 new affordable council homes in Cumbernauld, located south of Forest Road as part of the wider Firview residential development.
• North Lanarkshire Council is purchasing the 75 properties directly from developer Bellway Homes through its Affordable Housing Policy.
• Valued at £13.7 million and supported by the Scottish Government, the scheme represents the local authority’s largest direct purchase of homes from a private developer to date.
• A sod-cutting ceremony was held at the site with local councillors and Housing Convener Councillor Michael McPake to mark the start of work on the council housing element.
• The property mix comprises 10 one and two-bedroom cottage flats for amenity housing, 10 general needs cottage flats, 31 two-bedroom houses, and 24 three-bedroom houses.
• The development contributes towards North Lanarkshire Council’s wider commitment to deliver 6,000 new council homes by 2035.

Cumbernauld (Glasgow Express) November 12, 2026 – Construction work is officially underway on 75 new affordable homes in Cumbernauld as part of a £13.7 million residential project. North Lanarkshire Council is acquiring the council properties directly from housebuilder Bellway Homes at the wider Firview development, located south of Forest Road.

How Much Is North Lanarkshire Council Investing in the Cumbernauld Housing Project?

As reported by the Glasgow Times and North Lanarkshire Council, the £13.7 million project marks the local authority’s largest direct purchase of properties from a private developer to date. Supported by funding from the Scottish Government, the acquisition is being executed under the council’s Affordable Housing Policy, with the wider Firview site set to deliver a mixture of both private and affordable housing.

What Did Councillor Michael McPake Say About the Firview Development?

Local elected members joined Housing Convener Councillor Michael McPake at the Forest Road site for a sod-cutting ceremony to formally mark the start of construction on the council housing element.

As reported by the Glasgow Times and North Lanarkshire Council, Councillor Michael McPake stated that

“This is a really positive development for Cumbernauld and will provide 75 much-needed council homes for local people and families.”

Councillor McPake added that

“It’s great to see work getting underway, and I want to recognise the support of our local elected members in helping bring this project forward.”

Highlighting the long-term role of the site, as documented by North Lanarkshire Council, Councillor McPake further stated that

“These homes will make a real difference to people looking for a secure, affordable place to call home and will help us continue to deliver on our commitment to provide 6,000 new council homes by 2035.”

What Types of Affordable Homes Are Being Built at Firview?

According to details published by North Lanarkshire Council and the Glasgow Times, the 75 properties will provide a varied mix of housing sizes and tenures to meet differing household requirements across the town:

• 10 one and two-bedroom cottage flats designated for amenity housing.
• 10 general needs cottage flats.
• 31 two-bedroom houses.
• 24 three-bedroom houses.

Background of the Development

The Firview scheme forms part of North Lanarkshire Council’s long-term new supply housebuilding programme, which was originally launched in 2018 with a target of delivering 5,000 new affordable homes by 2035 and subsequently expanded to a 6,000-home target. As reported by Neil McGrory of Motherwell Today, the council has reached 46 per cent of its 6,000-home target, with almost half of the properties completed despite sector-wide construction challenges. Alongside direct council builds on brownfield sites and open-market purchases, acquiring off-the-shelf units directly from private housebuilders such as Bellway Homes through the Affordable Housing Policy serves as a primary mechanism for expanding local social housing stock. Within the wider Firview site in Cumbernauld, Bellway Homes is also constructing three, four, and five-bedroom private properties equipped with energy-efficient solar panels, private driveways, and proximity to Carbrain Primary School and Cumbernauld railway station.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Local Residents and Housing Applicants

For prospective council tenants, families, and older residents in Cumbernauld, the completion of these 75 properties will expand the local supply of secure, socially rented accommodation. The inclusion of 10 one and two-bedroom amenity cottage flats directly addresses the needs of older or mobility-restricted residents requiring accessible, single-level living, while the 55 two and three-bedroom houses will increase capacity for families on North Lanarkshire Council’s housing waiting list. Furthermore, integrating council-owned homes within a mixed-tenure private development south of Forest Road will provide incoming tenants with access to the same local transport links, schools, and green spaces as private buyers, while advancing the local authority’s schedule toward meeting its 2035 housing delivery commitment.