Building Briefs – July 5th

Derelict Midlothian building transformed into desirable affordable housing

An empty Midlothian property dubbed an eyesore by locals has been transformed into quality affordable homes thanks to funding from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Empty Homes Fund.

The Darag development in Mayfield has had a chequered past and was last used several years ago by Midlothian Council’s Homeless department as a house of multiple occupancy. The property lay empty for many years, targeted by vandals and falling into serious disrepair following a significant fire.

Thanks to a £241,000 grant and a loan of £245,000 as part of the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Empty Homes Fund we have now completed a major redevelopment of the property to create 6 new affordable homes.

The three bedroom ground floor flat has fully disabled access, rarely available in properties of this size in Midlothian.

There is high demand for homes in the Mayfield area which has one of the lowest levels of turnover for council housing in Midlothian.

52 affordable homes promised for Camlachie

West of Scotland Housing Association is to progress plans for 52 affordable homes in Glasgow’s east end as part of efforts to regenerate the Camlachie area of the city.

Plans for the site, located on the junction of Fielden and Barrowfield Street, are still being drawn up by an as yet unnamed architect but a ‘strong focus on design’ is promised along with a mix of properties.

WSHA chief executive, Lynne Donnelly said: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue our regeneration work in Barrowfield.

New lease of life for former Port Ellen police station on Islay

Islay residents will soon have more affordable housing options, as major renovation work to convert the former police station in Port Ellen into six self-contained one bedroom and studio flats gets underway.

The £470,000 project is being delivered by The Port Ellen Station which is an associated organisation of the Ian Mactaggart Trust, a charitable enterprise with close links to the inner Hebridean island.

​The Port Ellen Station was specifically set-up by Sir John Mactaggart to undertake the private assisted housing scheme on the island.

£180,000 has been made available from Argyll and Bute Council’s Empty Homes and Loan Scheme.

Douglas Mackie, Chair of West Highland Housing Association, said: “It is great for our organisation to be associated with a project like this. The energy and drive from Sir John Mactaggart with assistance from Argyll and Bute Council demonstrates positive action to bring back to use a well-known property for housing is very exciting. West Highland are delighted to be involved with this scheme”

The project’s partners are fully committed to the sustainability of Islay and in particular maximising opportunities for young people. A local lettings plan will be used to prioritise the allocation of flats those aged between 16 and 25 years; assessed as homeless or at risk of homelessness; and local residents on low incomes.

It is anticipated that the extensive works will be complete, and the building ready for the first tenants, by the end of July. An open day will be held in September to allow the local community and those involved in the project to see the renovations.

Voting for the next Chartered Institute of Housing vice president opens as candidates are revealed

Voting for the next CIH vice president is officially open.

The two candidates shortlisted following the nomination phase will now go head to head.

They are James Strang, the chief executive of Parkhead Housing Association in Glasgow and Paul Butterworth, partner and head of social housing at law firm TLT LLP.

Every CIH member has been sent a unique voting code which they can use to cast a vote any time until voting closes at 5pm on Monday 31 July.

Vice president Alison Inman will become CIH president in September when current president Julie Fadden’s time in office comes to an end.

The winner of the ballot will become CIH’s new vice president and will go on to become the organisation’s president in 2018.

Terrie Alafat CBE, chief executive of CIH, said: “We’re delighted to have two excellent candidates to replace Alison when she steps up to the role of president in September.

“The vice presidency is a crucial role which helps to drive our organisation forward and the winning candidate will of course go on to be our president in 2018.

“I would urge all CIH members to use their vote.”

For more information on the candidates and how to vote visit www.cih.org/vicepresidentialelection2017

The manifestos for each candidate are available at www.mi-event.info/event/cih-2017-vice-presidential-election