The new year for hub South West Scotland, the innovative public-private infrastructure partnership, is off to a flying start in North Lanarkshire, after closing its third community and education project, bringing £196 million investment to the region.

The final financial close on £166 million of projects last year rounds up hub South West’s involvement in £196 million of North Lanarkshire Council’s ongoing programme of works.

Hub South West has now delivered in excess of £460 million of education and community projects across its territory in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway, with £145 million of projects on site and a further £55 million in development.

The hub’s co-operative model, which involves main contractors, local companies, local authorities and communities, has had a transformative effect on its territory since it was established in 2012.

Michael Ross, recently-appointed Chief Executive Officer at hub South West, said: “The most recent North Lanarkshire projects are illustrative of our valuable relationship with North Lanarkshire Council and our activities within the education and community market which are not only strengthening communities but also enhancing and bolstering local economies as we develop fruitful and enduring partnerships via a range of our unique initiatives and targets set on our projects.

“With a strong core in delivering cost effective and high-quality education and community projects coupled with in excess of over £600 million of successfully delivered projects, these initiatives demonstrate our abilities and capacity in this market place for our participants.  

The three projects currently under way in North Lanarkshire include:

• The Newmains and St Brigid’s Community Hub, an exciting new-build shared campus development which will accommodate three independent establishments, Newmains Primary School, St Brigid’s Primary School and Newmains Family Learning Centre.

As well as an inclusive learning environment, the high-quality outdoor and indoor facilities at the Community Hub will enhance leisure and recreational facilities for all members of the community. A turf-cutting ceremony took place in July last year and handover is scheduled for the last quarter of this year.

• The Carnbroe and Sikeside Community Hub which, in a similar manner to Newmains and St Brigid’s , brings together Carnbroe Primary School, Sikeside Primary School and an Early Years class.

The two-storey building will provide naturally lit, flexible learning spaces and will be designed to accommodate a wide range of learning requirements now and in the future. These amenities will be available to the wider community outwith the school day.

Planning was granted in August last year and completion is expected in the second quarter of 2023.

• The Chryston Community Hub, which will replace the existing Chryston Primary School and provide a new Community Health Clinic.

The amenities here will include outdoor and indoor sports facilities, an extensive landscaped playground for the school, healthcare gardens for clinic patients and staff and community gardens with enhanced connections across the site to encourage active travel.

Planning was granted in August last year and handover should take place in the third quarter of 2023.

Bringing public sector bodies together with private sector development partners to foster joint working and deliver best value, hub South West continues to create jobs, training opportunities and apprenticeships as well as enhancing the quality of life in the communities across its territories.