Thorn Road

McTaggart delivered 26 new-build timber frame homes for North Lanarkshire Council in Bellshill, together with associated parking, roads and landscaping. The scheme included semi-detached houses, cottage flats with wheelchair-accessible ground-floor units, and two three-storey flatted blocks served by a shared stairwell and lift. The development achieved Secured by Design Silver Award accreditation and Housing for Varying Needs compliance throughout.

The site presented a number of significant challenges. Poor ground conditions required a driven precast concrete piling solution, while soil capping and remediation were carried out due to the presence of asbestos at depth. Erection of timber frames and roof trusses required detailed crane planning to maintain safe working distances from the adjacent Edinburgh to Glasgow railway line in accordance with Network Rail guidelines. Site access was restricted to a single route due to a low, narrow railway bridge at the southern boundary, limiting delivery vehicle size and scheduling. The proximity of residential properties and a children's nursery required careful programming of noisy and disruptive works. Utility connections for gas, water and electricity experienced delays through protracted engagement with service providers, contributing to an extension of the programme.

McTaggart adopted a proactive and transparent approach to collaboration with North Lanarkshire Council and all project stakeholders. Regular site progress meetings were complemented by detailed contractor reports, programme trackers and updated construction programmes, enabling open discussion of risks, utility coordination and design matters. Close day-to-day liaison was maintained with the client team, Clerk of Works and M&E representatives, with issues identified collaboratively and actions tracked through to resolution.

All homes were delivered to Bronze Active standard under the Scottish Building Standards Regulation 7 framework. Photovoltaic panels were installed across all blocks and EV charging points provided in visitor parking areas. Surface water was managed using porous monoblock systems connected to an attenuation tank with a hydro-brake manhole, providing an effective and low-maintenance drainage solution for the site.

Off-site drainage works at Warnock Crescent were required to enable sewer connection. McTaggart's engineering team worked extensively with Scottish Water to redesign the drainage strategy, simplifying the final connection and delivering the solution within the overall project programme at no additional cost to the client.

McTaggart delivered a comprehensive community benefit programme in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council, significantly exceeding all agreed targets. The project supported three new full-time jobs and three apprenticeships, alongside work-based learning delivered through Routes to Work, the Council's No Limits programme and the Summer Placement programme. Almost 100 hours of educational engagement were delivered, reaching approximately 2,700 pupils through the Beyond Bricks and Mortar STEM programme. Direct community support was provided through financial donations, volunteering and local events sponsorship.