By Ian McConnell

Scottish potato producer Albert Bartlett is seeking bids from housebuilders to create Berryhill, an “exclusive new village in Lanarkshire” with more than 500 new homes.

The family firm’s property arm has instructed Shepherd Chartered Surveyors to invite offers.

The 36.5-hectare site of the village is above the A73 behind the hamlet of Stand and south of Greengairs Road. Shepherd said the whole site is owned by Albert Bartlett Properties, a subsidiary of Albert Bartlett & Sons (Airdrie).

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The chartered surveyor firm added that “planning permission has been given in principle” for the proposed development. It flagged expectations that the first new house sales at Berryhill would occur by the end of next year.

Shepherd said key features of the site “include two areas of ancient woodland and an east-west track connecting it to Stand”. It added that these features have “shaped the village”, forming five discrete neighbourhoods totalling at least 523 houses “within a generous green buffer”.

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The site is two miles north-east of Airdrie.

Shepherd said: “Boasting generous green space for residents with fantastic views of the Campsie Fells, Berryhill offers all the advantages of rural living with excellent connections to Glasgow and Edinburgh. Thoughtfully designed greens and a café, shops and business premises will bring the village to life.”

Ronnie Bartlett, chairman of Albert Bartlett, said: “We are seeking housebuilding partners to assist with delivering the first phase of Berryhill and set the tone that will characterise the quality of the masterplan.

“While we will deliver core infrastructure and be responsible for the delivery of strategic landscaping, we are also looking for a partner to deliver our commercial centres.”

Steve Barnett, managing partner at Shepherd, said: “By the end of next year, we expect to see the first house sales at Berryhill. The development will set the tone for the wider site which will be phased over the next 15 years.”