Historic Overtown primary school transformed into new homes

The opening event was led by Eleanor Walker, chair of the Audit Committee, and was formally opened by Councillor Kenneth Duffy, provost of North Lanarkshire.

Attendees included representatives from the Scottish Government, North Lanarkshire Council, the Scottish Housing Regulator, former teachers of Overtown Primary School, members of the local community, and the Clyde Valley team whose work brought the project to completion.

Guests were invited to tour the development and view the finished homes, with the event drawing strong attendance and positive feedback on the quality and design of the properties.

Overtown Primary School has been a prominent village landmark since the 1880s. With the support of the community council, Clyde Valley Housing Association has preserved the character of this much-loved building while giving it a new purpose. The former school has been carefully converted into nine individually designed maisonette-style homes, including one fully wheelchair-accessible property.

In addition, eight new two-bedroom terraced houses have been constructed on the site of the former playground, bringing the total development to 17 high-quality homes for social rent.

The development was designed to respect the heritage of the original building while providing modern, comfortable living spaces. The original façade remains a focal point on Main Street, and the design of the new homes reflects the architectural character of the former school.

Local resident Nancy Kerr of Overtown Brighter Village praised the transformation: “It was good to see the amazing job you’ve made of the full building, inside and outside. Very good-sized rooms and lovely décor. I am so pleased with the overall design, layout and quality of the site.”

Adding a personal touch, North Lanarkshire Council named the new street Witcutt Gardens in memory of former teacher Christine Witcutt, whose legacy reflects the values of compassion and community that this development represents.

Clyde Valley Housing Association also acknowledged the wider project team, whose expertise was vital to the development’s success. Special recognition was given to architect Gary Pinkerton of Grant Murray Architects for his innovative design approach, which balanced modern needs with the preservation of the historic school building.

Thanks were also extended to Rosewood Home Builders for their craftsmanship and collaborative efforts, ensuring the vision for the site was fully realised.

As new residents prepare to move in, Clyde Valley Housing Association said it looks forward to seeing the development become an important part of Overtown’s future and thanks all partners and stakeholders who helped make the project a success.