PLANS have been revealed to make dozens of new homes available for social rent across Dumfries and Galloway.
Fresh proposals have been created for up to 68 houses in places spread across the region, from Langholm and Balmaclellan to New Galloway and Newton Stewart.
Community-led housing projects have been given direct support and advice from South of Scotland Community Housing (SOSCH) in order to take forward their plans – and tap into funding from the Scottish Government’s Rural and Islands Housing Fund.
SOSCH has now submitted a series of these housing projects for potential inclusion in Dumfries and Galloway Council’s strategic housing investment plan.
Details of the social housing proposals, along with the community organisations behind them, are:
– Langholm Alliance, Langholm Old Primary School (retrofit of existing building) – 8-10 units;
– The Stevenson Trust, 4 Well Close and 20 High Street in Langholm (retrofit of existing buildings) – two units;
– Langholm Initiative, Cronksbank Cottage (retrofit of existing building) – one unit;
– Pamela Young Trust, Old Filling Station Site Balmaclellan (new build) – three units;
– Pamela Young Trust, Glenlee, New Galloway (retrofit on empty homes) – five units;
– Culraven Limited, Culraven Farm in Borgue (redevelopment of existing building and new-build) – 8-10 units;
-Nith Valley LEAF Trust, Firmuir Avenue in Closeburn (new build) – five units;
– Gatehouse Development Initiative, Woodside Terrace in Gatehouse of Fleet (new build) – seven units;
– Keir, Penpont and Tynron Development Trust, land at Bogg Road, Penpont (new build) – nine units;
– Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Development Trust, Niviston Road in Kelloholm (new build) – five units;
– All Roads Lead to Whithorn, 10-12 George Street in Whithorn (redevelopment of existing building and new-build) – two units;
– Newton Stewart Initiative, Former Grapes Hotel in Newton Stewart (redevelopment of existing building) – four units;
– South of Scotland Community Housing, Clocktower Flat, Castle Douglas (retrofit of existing building) – one unit;
– Sanquhar Enterprise Company, 54 High Street, Sanquhar (redevelopment of existing building) – four units.
Councillors will be asked to agree including these social housing project proposals within the overall strategic housing investment plan at next week’s economy and resources committee.
They will also be asked to support a move by Cunninghame Housing Association (CHA) to develop 14 accessible homes within walking distance of Dumfries town centre to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities.
Land to the rear of Nithbank is being eyed up by CHA, and it would require securing funding of around £4.5m for this project to become a reality.
The council report states: “Members are being asked to agree the inclusion of the project. This development once completed will provide homes for some of our most vulnerable residents.
“The design process is progressing in collaboration with health colleagues and service providers to ensure homes meet the particular needs of the target client group.”
