Work is underway on new accommodation at an industrial estate in a £6.5m project. 

Ten new net-zero incubator units will be built at Braidhurst Industrial Estate in Motherwell to be used by start-ups and micro businesses.

Two of these units will be provided rent-free to community services and organisations as a means of combatting social isolation and improving health and wellbeing.

Six industrial units are being refurbished, and car parking, roads, footpaths and lighting will also be improved.

Technology is to be installed which will enable high-speed broadband connections throughout the site. 

A large focus of this project will help businesses reduce energy bills and carbon usage through the use of special panels, while electric car-charging hubs will also be on-site for staff to use. 

Delivered by contractor Tilbury Douglas, the project has received £2.8 million from the council, £1.9 million from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) and £1.3 million from the Place Based Investment Programme, and £600,000 from North Lanarkshire Properties.

As well as securing 80 jobs, the work will create 27 new roles as well as breathe new life into a large plot of empty land. 

Councillor Alex McVey, convener of the enterprise and fair work committee, said: “This project will give Braidhurst Industrial Estate a positive, innovative future, safeguarding 80 existing jobs and creating 27 new full-time jobs and bringing almost half a hectare of vacant and derelict land back into use.

"It will offer purpose-built space for start-up businesses and SMEs, using technology to help reduce their carbon footprint and supporting investment in the local economy."

Work is expected to be completed on the industrial estate by August 2024.