Plans for 135 new council homes in Renfrewshire take "exciting" step forward

Plans are progressing to build 135 new council houses across two developments in Gallowhill and Johnstone.

Renfrewshire Council has awarded the design and build contracts to McTaggart Construction with public consultation events taking place later in May.

In Gallowhill, the £13.7 million development will deliver 65 homes at a vacant site off Montgomery Road. There are 70 homes planned in Johnstone at a £14.2m development on the site of the former Cochrane Castle Primary School.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s communities and housing policy board, said: “I’m really excited by these two hugely important new developments.

“New houses in Gallowhill will add to the local council housing supply, meeting the need for affordable homes while enhancing the local area.

“In Johnstone, the homes are part of wider work to develop the area known locally as Howwood Road.

“We’re working with people living here to deliver new council houses and make improvements to existing homes so the close-knit community can stay together and live in warm and welcoming homes.”

Both newbuild developments will provide a mix of property types and sizes including cottage flats with direct access and garden areas, bungalows and houses.

Many will be wheelchair-accessible and include five-bedroom council homes for the first time.

They are being built to meet the highest standards in energy efficiency, coming complete with air source heat pumps and solar panels.

The newbuilds add to high levels of continued investment being made in current council houses across Renfrewshire delivering a range of improvements including new kitchens and bathrooms, heating systems and roof repairs.

Councillor McGurk added: “Having heat pumps instead of gas boilers will make the new homes really energy efficient and is a key milestone in our work towards making Renfrewshire net zero.

“I look forward to seeing progress on these developments and continuing our significant investment in council housing, with £41m being spent this year on improvements to 1,200 homes.”

Both developments are supported by £19.8m from the Scottish Government’s affordable housing programme.

Housing minister Paul McLennan said: “These 135 new council homes in Gallowhill and Johnstone, backed by almost £20m of Scottish Government funding, will play a valuable role in boosting the affordable housing supply in Renfrewshire.

“Everyone deserves a warm and safe place to call home and these high-quality, energy efficient properties will help to meet the needs of the local community for generations to come.

“Good quality housing is essential to attract and retain people in our communities.

“We remain focused on delivering at least 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland by 2032 and at least 70 per cent of these will be for social rent.”

McTaggart Construction is carrying out community consultation events before submitting planning applications later this year, with construction scheduled to start next year.

Drop-in public consultation events to discuss each development with the housebuilder are in Johnstone on Wednesday, May 22, from 3pm to 7pm at Thorn Athletic Sports Academy, situated within Thomas Shanks Park.

The Gallowhill event is at Gallowhill Community Centre, on Netherhill Road, from 3pm to 7pm on Tuesday, May 28.

McTaggart Construction managing director Janice Russell added: “We are delighted to be involved in both developments and look forward to working with the community and potential tenants to understand their needs and aspirations.

“Our collaborative and consultative approach with our partners helps us build quality homes that make a positive difference to people and the community.

“We would encourage everyone to come to the drop-in sessions and give us their views on how the developments should take shape before we submit the planning applications.”

The council has delivered 315 newbuild council homes across Renfrewshire in recent years, with developments completed in Bishopton, Johnstone and Ferguslie Park in Paisley.

There is also a decade-long regeneration and renewal programme underway benefiting around 1,600 homes across eight areas.

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