PLANS to develop 60 homes for social rent on an Alloa brownfield site received a financial boost last week.

Developers at Kingdom Housing Association have received a donation of £4.9million from a Scottish Government programme for the homes on Alloa's Primrose Street.

The site encompasses the brownfield site accessible from Primrose Street on the west, including the car park behind the former Co-op building on the Speirs Centre side of the access road.

The car park closer to the main road of King Street does not form a part of the site in question.

The proposals are a part of wider town centre regeneration plans and will be looking to support an ageing local population by providing quality assisted living opportunities in the heart of Alloa.

For instance, advice from dementia experts are being considered as part of the plans and previously, council leader Councillor Ellen Forson spoke to the Advertiser about how modern technology, like artificial intelligence (AI) could be utilised there.

There will be dementia-friendly features and mobility scooter charging points as well and the plans sit well with last week's announcement that a dementia centre will open in Alloa as soon as possible after the coronavirus outbreak is over by Alzheimer Scotland.

Councillor Donald Balsillie, Clackmannanshire Council's deputy leader and interim housing spokesman, said: "Kingdom Housing Association has already completed several successful sites for affordable new homes in Clackmannanshire over the past few years.

"I am delighted to see this latest site awarded vital funding to allow this derelict site of the former Co-op building in the centre of Alloa to go ahead.

"An enormous amount of hard work and collaboration has gone into the final design of this new building which will become a prominent landmark in the town centre.

“This exciting project can only benefit the amenity of Alloa town centre and support older communities with convenient access to transport networks, services and improved models of care.

“It is also encouraging that once building work can start, new employment and apprentices will be created locally at a time when new jobs will be very much welcomed.

“The council is supporting this project with around £700,000 of funding being used for additional town centre improvement work.” 

The money donated to the project came from the Scottish Charitable Bond programme, managed by Allia C&C.

Bill Banks, chief executive at the Kingdom Group, said: “We welcome the donation from Allia C&C for the site at Primrose Street, Alloa.

“The current situation unfortunately means the start date for the contract is uncertain.

“When we are in a position to take the development forward the 60 new homes will bring a fresh lease of life to a site which has sat mostly unused for a number of years.

“The properties include two, three and four person apartments suitable for older tenants or tenants with particular housing needs and I’m sure the future residents will enjoy living in their safe and secure new homes.”

The development also includes car parking spaces and an open space next to the Speirs Centre which could be used for civic events, it is understood.

Daniel Carrico, head of origination at Allia C&C, added: “We’re absolutely delighted that Kingdom Housing Association have received this donation from the loan interest generated by our Scottish Charitable Bond programme.

“With the creation of 60 new affordable homes, it shows the added benefit our programme delivers to the Scottish housing sector, along with the wider social impact on communities.”