Council looks to build first homes in 30 years

Hamish Hutchinson • Published 4 Aug 2010 09:30 3 Comments

When house builders lay bricks and mortar in Tullibody on behalf of the council it will be for the first time in 30 years.

The town has been earmarked as a potential site for Clackmannanshire Council's £1.6 million house-building programme.

Officers are also investigating the possibility of a smaller second site in the county to build homes designed specifically for the elderly.

When work commences in 2011/12 it will be the first council homes built by the local authority since the 1970s.

A full report on all options will be presented to councillors next month.

In total 24 houses are planned to be built following a £600,000 cash injection by the Scottish Government.

Regeneration Portfolio Holder, councillor Sam Ovens, described the need for new homes as "desperate".

It comes as official statistics show Clackmannanshire has the fourth highest number of new homeless per 1000 households.

But despite this chronic shortage, as reported last month the council chose not to apply for a portion of the third tranche of council house funding from ministers.

The decision, Mr Ovens said, was due to cost - one which the local authority could not afford while delivering its current properties to the Clackmannanshire Quality Housing Standard by 2015.

Speaking about the housing programme, Mr Ovens said, "A central element of the project is likely to remain a continuation of the regeneration of Tullibody. Ochil View Housing Association began the process and we would like to see that continue. Officers are currently working on costs and designs for that area. Like the earlier Ochil View developments, we would be looking at general needs housing.

"We have a growing population, particularly a growing elderly population, so we are also provisionally interested in looking for a second smaller site for older people and have considered a number of smaller council sites. We are keen to maximise the range of housing needs we can meet within a limited budget."

He added, "There is a growing public interest in council new build and naturally we will be looking within the limits of our Business Plan at further future feasibility should the government make further subsidy available.

"Meanwhile we have a commitment to our existing 5000 tenants who are relying on us to deliver the Clackmannanshire Housing Quality Standard by 2015 and we cannot do anything that would jeopardise that commitment."

Elsewhere Ochil View Housing Association is continuing its own house-building programme for 2010/11. The Alloa-based housing association plans to invest more than £4.5 million in new affordable housing having been awarded more than £3 million from the Scottish Government.

The investment will be used for ongoing developments in Cambus (16 rented properties) and The Glen in Coalsnaughton where eight properties are being developed for first time buyers under the government's shared equity scheme.

Another 25 properties are expected to be built at Todds Yard in Sauchie while the recent allocation of £600,000 in "consequential" funding means the association can start construction earlier on a 16 property rented development at Greygoran.

Ochil View says completion of the new homes will allow potential resources for 2011/2012 to be earmarked for the housing advice centre at Hallpark in Sauchie planned in conjunction with Clackmannanshire Council. The purpose-built facility containing 26 flats will provide short term residential accommodation for the homeless.

Director of Ochil View, George Tainsh said, "After a record award of grant last year the association is pleased with the level of grant allocation awarded by the Scottish Government for 2010/2011 particularly at a time when public funding is coming under considerable pressure - even if it does represent a reduction of £1.5 million from the previous year.

"The additional allocation of £600,000 was particularly pleasing and this confirms the confidence placed in Ochil View by both the Scottish Government and Clackmannanshire Council to deliver its ambitious development plans either on its own or in partnership with others.

"We do, however, recognise that grant funding in future years will come under considerable pressure.

"As a result it is vital that we maximise the resources allocated to us and maintain excellent relationships with our housing association and private funding partners to try to ensure some continuity of construction over the next couple of years, not only in order to provide much needed rented accommodation but also to continue to boost the local building industry."

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• 

  CD Player
  Unregistered User
  Aug 5, 15:09
  Report comment

  Congratulations to the Scottish Government for providing the necessary funds to retsart local authority house buolding once again.
  
  This development will bring some small relief to the many families waiting on the housing lists across the County.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  rosstaylor
  Unregistered User
  Aug 6, 16:35
  Report comment

  Was there not an article in the Advertiser last week saying that the Council were looking for ways to save money?
  
  How many council houses in Clackmannanshire are lying empty?
  
  How may tenants are there in Clackmannanshire who are behind on their rent?
  
  How many houses were sold of for 10p in the pound?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Proud of my county
  Unregistered User
  Aug 6, 23:39
  Report comment

  About time they built housing,seek paying high council tax to pay for all the work shy who are better off then me not working and living in private rental accomodation.1 along the road from me has two cars all the latest fashion wear, i work full time and by the time i pay all my housing costs im left with £48 a week, its getting to the point i think whats the point working.
  
  Mind you council tax is illegal as its a contract under common law you cant be forced to go intoa contract without negotiation, many many poeple in England been to court and won on this when they arent getting value for money for that illegal tax.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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