South Lanarkshire Council

Detailed planning permission has been granted by the council's Planning Committee for Barratt West Scotland to build 176 flats and 29 townhouses on the former site of Holy Cross High School in the town's Muir Street.

Detailed consent has also been given to Miller Homes Ltd for a 25-home development at Thorn Avenue which marks the completion of the West Craigs estate on the outskirts of the town which was previously identified in the masterplan for the Hamilton Western Expansion Area as a potential location for a new primary school.

The proposed houses will be a mix of two-storey detached and semi-detached and three-storey townhouses. Vehicle access will be from Westerpark Avenue, via Blackcraig Brae and Dalbeattie Drive. A footpath will also be created onto the existing right of way, running from Newhousemill Road to Townhill Road.

A new access road will be created at the former Holy Cross site taken from The Furlongs with further pedestrian links on both The Furlongs and Muir Street for access to the new homes being built there.

There will also be 308 parking spaces, a children's play area and landscaping to compliment the five residential blocks, three of which will combine flats and townhouses. The remaining two blocks will solely feature terraced townhouses.

And in accordance with the council's Residential Design Guide, the developer will also be required to make a contribution of £205,000 towards sports and recreation facilities in the local area. A Section 75 legal agreement is in place to ensure these terms are met.

Councillor Graham Scott, the chair of the Planning Committee, said: "Both of these developments show the continued popularity of Hamilton as a place to live and work.

"The plans for the Holy Cross site in particular are very welcome as they represent the transformation of a significant area of now derelict land in the centre of the town."