Future homes plan for Ravenscraig

The show homes will be similar to the BRE development near Watford

Four show homes incorporating the latest green technology are to be built on redeveloped industrial land in North Lanarkshire.

The "innovation park" at the former Ravenscraig steelworks will aim to influence the future of house-building in Scotland.

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has given construction companies until 26 June to express an interest.

It is hoped construction will begin next year and be completed in 2010.

BRE Scotland said the development would address issues such as affordability, energy efficiency, recycled materials, carbon emissions and sustainable methods of construction.

It hopes to channel more than £2m of new technology investment into the project and build on lessons learned by its first demonstrator centre at Garston, near Watford.

The development is being planned in partnership with Ravenscraig Ltd, the firm charged with redeveloping the huge former steelworks site.

'Evolving project'

Director Jim Fitzsimons said: "We want Ravenscraig to be a showcase of health, wealth and vitality, where cutting-edge design and technology in our buildings will promote a sense of wellbeing.

"It is a tremendous endorsement of our ambitions that BRE have chosen Ravenscraig as the location for their Scottish innovation park.

"We have already insisted the houses to be built at Ravenscraig must adhere to some of the strictest environmental guidelines in the country.

The £1.2bn development of the Ravenscraig site is already under way

"We look forward to those being created on the innovation park spotlighting the path the construction industry will follow in the years to come."

BRE Scotland director Rufus Logan said: "We see this as a constantly-evolving project which will both highlight the innovative work already going on in the Scottish construction industry and will challenge companies to develop new solutions to issues the sector will face in the not-too-distant future."

Ravenscraig Steel Works closed in 1992.

The £1.2bn regeneration of the 1,100 acre site will see the construction of a new town centre.

Work is already under way on the £200m first phase, with a £30m regional sports facility, a £70m campus for Motherwell College and 850 new houses now under construction.