RSS Press releases

The SHIP is subject to regular review and Members of The Council’s Economy and Resources Committee will be asked to agree to several new sites at their meeting on 19 November. In addition, they will also be asked to agree to the removal of some sites which have been identified as undeliverable for affordable housing by Loreburn Housing Association.

The delivery of the SHIP contributes to tackling a range of socio-economic challenges by providing secure, affordable housing to often vulnerable people: including those living on low incomes, those who are homeless and those who have specialist housing needs. The scheme also helps people gain employment in the construction industry, brings brownfield land back into use, regenerates empty buildings and contributes to the sustainability of town centres.

Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership (DGHP) is the largest Registered Social Landlord in our region (the second largest in Scotland). DGHP, in partnership with the Wheatley Group and through a ballot by their existing tenants, have proposed the following commitments:

• Build 1,000 new homes for social rent by 2025
• Additional funds of up to £125 million to improve existing, and build new homes
• Create 500 new jobs across the region
• Additional services to help older people live independently
• Introduction of a handyperson service

This Council only needs to agree to new projects for including in the SHIP that have the potential to be brought forward, should DGHP be unable to meet their commitments. Five new projects have been proposed to Members, by both DGHP and private housing supplier, Building Craftsmen:

• Space for 15 units at former Builders Yard, Station Road, Dalbeattie –
• Space for 12 units at Barhill Road, Dalbeattie
• Space for 12 units at Former Church, Elizabeth Walk, Lincluden, Dumfries
• Space for 11 units at Erskine Church, Bank Street, Annan
• Space for 9 units at George Street School of Art, Dumfries.

DGHP have received significant amounts of public funding to provide housing of this type and because of this they are regularly monitored.  It has now been identified that there are a number of sites under the SHIP which are now undeliverable. Members will be asked to remove these sites from the Plan:

• Former Grain Store, Stranraer, recently sold to new owner
• Riverside Park, Canonbie, due to need to address potential flood risks and identification of archaeological works on portion of site, making site not financially viable.
• Haley’s Yard, Terregles Road, Dumfries, as unable to reach agreement on purchase of site.

Chair of Economy and Resources Committee, Rob Davidson, said: “The delivery of the SHIP makes a significant contribution towards our Council Priorities: to ‘Protect vulnerable people’, Provide the best start in life for all our children’ and ‘Build the local economy’. There are clear links between good quality housing and improved health, and a portion of the new housing will be designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities, so no one is left out. In addition, there are the added benefits of energy efficiency, warmth, good ventilation, space and safety and I am very pleased that this programme continues to be successful.”

Vice Chair, Archie Dryburgh said: “The SHIP has a wide remit of benefits. The Council’s role is to provide strategic direction to the programme and enable delivery of new projects, but not only does the SHIP provide housing, it  also adds to the region’s economic development by providing a huge boost to the construction industry and making the best use of surplus land. “