New homes boost for town

A total of 80 new properties have been identified for inclusion as part of the £150m programme to create 1,000 new homes across the authority area by 2020.

Councillors approved the plans subject to further site investigation, feasibility studies and planning consultation.

The proposals will take the new build programme up to 2017/18 and include 15 properties on the former Cedar Road Nursery site; 15 properties on the former Kildrum Nursery site, and 50 properties at the Community Growth Area (Mid Forrest).

Elaine McHugh, Head of Housing Services said: “This is another exciting development in our new build programme.

“The majority of the developments are on brownfield sites, often on former school sites and at the heart of our communities.

“Our programme aims to meet particular needs within local communities and improve the range of properties within our housing stock.”

Councillor Sam Love, Convener of Housing and Social Work Services, added: “This announcement is a great boost for local communities and will provide our tenants with fantastic new homes.

“I am delighted that we have been able to identify this investment to build new homes while managing to keep our rents amongst the lowest in Scotland and continuing to invest in improvements to our current stock.”

Work is either underway at the sites or expected to start in due course.