New council house plan for South Ayrshire

Nov 13 2009 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

THE FIRST council houses in 30 years could soon be built in Ayr.

An ambitious bid has been made to the Scottish Government for the cash to build 68 brand new homes.

Council chiefs revealed that the move forms part of a plan to provide almost 500 new homes for rent between 2010 and 2015.

Housing spokesman Councillor Douglas Campbell pointed out that building work is already scheduled for 61 new homes across South Ayrshire in 2010/11, in conjunction with housing associations, as part of the council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP).

A further 90 are planned for the following year. Other developments are also in the pipeline for Fisherton, Girvan, Ayr and Prestwick.

Council housing stock has dwindled in the decades since the right to buy scheme was introduced by the government.

Since then housing associations have been the primary builders of new homes for rent.

The council will find out next month if the bid to the government’s Affordable Housing Investment Programme is successful.

Councillor Campbell said: “The SHIP sets out how we intend to start increasing the availability of houses to rent across South Ayrshire.

“We know there is more be done to deliver the number of houses we need across the area.

“This needs to be balanced against the reality of what we can achieve in the present economic climate, given some of the financial constraints and pressures we face.

“In the course of the coming five years, we will continue to explore every opportunity to develop and build houses to rent for those most in need, but SHIP marks the first very positive step towards that goal.”

The SHIP plan has been in the making for a long time and follows consultation with the community.

Councillor Campbell added: “Moving on, I am particularly pleased that tenants, residents and landlords have all been involved and a South Ayrshire Registered Social Landlords’ Forum has been set up in order that we can further consult with members, listen to what they say and include this in the SHIP.”

And he claimed that if the bid is successful it will go some way towards meeting the ongoing demand for homes across South Ayrshire.

Councillor Campbell went on: “We’re likely to know in December if our proposals to build the first new council houses in this area for three decades will be successful, but the council is already committed to improving and building on our existing stock of housing in order to meet increasing demand for houses to rent.

“Our strategy has taken into account the changing nature of this area and is forward looking in terms of how we can accommodate the needs of elderly, homeless and vulnerable people in this community and we will continue to do all we can to deliver on this.

“The SHIP is an important element in delivering the council’s vision of making South Ayrshire the most dynamic, inclusive and sustainable community in Scotland.”