A Cumbernauld office site with newly-agreed planning consent for its transformation into a residential development of 160 homes is now being marketed to prospective developers.
Permission was granted last month to demolish the buildings of the tax office campus at St Mungo’s Road in the town, following the 2015 decision to shut the site and relocate HMRC staff from next year to a new regional centre in Glasgow.
Estate agent Savills is inviting expressions of interest in the 4.7-hectare site, calling it a “fantastic opportunity in one of Scotland’s popular commuter locations”.`
Describing the “extensive residential development opportunity in the heart of Cumbernauld”, they say that the site “comprises a series of six interconnecting buildings extending over five storeys.
“It will be sold with the benefit of planning permission in principle with an indicative capacity of 160 units, with associated access, car parking and landscaping.
“Any demolition works associated with development will require to be undertaken by the purchaser.”
Councillors on North Lanarkshire’s planning committee unanimously gave the go-ahead for the redevelopment at their virtual meeting last month following the application from Cannon Capital Developments.
Elected members agreed with officials that the development “would not detract from the amenity and safety of the wider area”; details of house types would be agreed through a further application, while the developer will be required to make a contribution towards affordable housing and play facilities.
HMRC are due to vacate the office space next year, and Savills add that: “A lease is currently in place to HMRC until June 2022 and the purchaser will benefit from a stream of income until the expiry date.”
Development team director Jamie Doran said: “There is strong demand from housebuilders and developers for residential development opportunities across west central Scotland at present.
“[The site] has become available due to relocation of the HMRC offices, and the fact that permission in principle is already in place will make it particularly appealing for many housebuilders in the market.”