Building Briefs - September 8th

• Wellhouse Housing Association to invest more than £1m in housing stock

The investment follows £1m of works carried out across 280 homes from Sept 2019 to Sept 2020, a programme which included almost 100 new kitchens, more than 60 bathrooms and 37 boilers being installed as well as gas checks being carried out on every property.

Wellhouse said it is firmly focused on continual improvement across its 800 homes and the organisation has increased its investment levels by 10% every year since 2014.

Plans for the next 12 months include 77 kitchens 15, bathrooms, 17 boilers, new windows for 92 properties, new doors for 64 properties, continuing upgrades to smoke detectors and back court improvements.

The housing association is also planning for the procurement of gutter cleaning and roof anchor inspection.

• Guidance for potential Linlithgow Vennel redevelopment set to be approved

New guidance for any potential redevelopment of the Vennel in Linlithgow is set to be approved.

West Lothian Council’s development and transport policy and development scrutiny panel supported submitting planning guidance for the Vennel to the council executive for final approval.

The opening of the Linlithgow Partnership Centre has resulted in a number of properties in and around the Vennel area in Linlithgow becoming vacant and surplus to requirements.

The guidance sets out potential uses for the site and a number of matters which would have to be addressed in any future redevelopment. Uses could include a mix of residential, retail, hotel, restaurants and/or business use, such as office space.

Executive councillor for development and transport Cathy Muldoon said: “The Vennel is a high-profile area at the heart of Linlithgow, and it’s important that careful consideration is taken over its future.

“The planning guidance produced will assist any marketing of the site and inform any development going forward.”

• £30m regeneration of Bellsmyre estate moves step closer

Shareholding members of Bellsmyre Housing Association last night added their seal of approval to the regeneration plans for the Bellsmyre estate.

At the first ‘virtual’ Special General Meeting (SGM), the members voted in favour of a resolution to transfer the Association’s property and assets to Caledonia Housing Association that will enable the regeneration to take place

A further meeting is taking place for members on September 23 to confirm this decision and members are encouraged to attend or vote by post. This will be followed by the Annual General Meeting. If the resolutions are agreed, this will conclude a key element of the legal and regulatory requirements for the transfer to proceed.

Votes were cast at the virtual meeting in person and before by post – under new regulations set by the Scottish Government in response to COVID-19. The results showed overwhelming support for Caledonia Housing Association to action its £30 million regeneration plans for homes and services in the Bellsmyre area of Dumbarton. The members supported the decision of the tenants who had voted 97% in favour in a ballot earlier in the year.

Julie Cosgrove, chief executive of Caledonia Housing Association, added: “I would like to thank the members of Bellsmyre Housing Association for their patience and understanding as we worked with the government guidelines and regulatory bodies to set up a robust and open procedure for the SGMs. All members have worked and engaged with us to make the transfer process possible in a sensible timeframe. The team at Caledonia is fully committed to the potential for and regeneration of the Bellsmyre estate.

“We encourage involvement in the final Special General Meeting and AGM on September 23 to confirm members’ approval for the transfer to Caledonia. This will be a ‘virtual’ meeting and all members have been contacted on how they can take part.”

• £60,000 boost for Fauldhouse and Whitburn centre improvements 

A new £60,000 fund is being created to deliver town and village centre improvements in Fauldhouse and Whitburn.

West Lothian Council’s development and transport policy and development scrutiny panel supported plans to create the new fund recently, subject to final approval by the council executive.

The occupation of the 200th home in the Heartlands site triggered the legal agreement with the developer to contribute nearly £60,000 to the fund.

Eligible projects which improve the public realm, open space or streetscape in Fauldhouse or Whitburn can bid for money once the fund is set up.

Similar arrangements to those currently in place for funds in West Lothian’s core development areas will be put in place to allocate funding.

• Work starts on new electric vehicle charging hub in Forfar

Angus Council will help drive forward a national initiative encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles (EV) with work beginning on a new charging hub in Forfar.

The ‘Angus on the Go’ project is expected to be completed by November 2020 and will see a charging hub comprising of a mix of charging types.

The hub will have four rapid chargers which allow 80% charging within 30 minutes, three fast chargers charging within a two to three hour period and two slow chargers that will fully charge within seven hours. It’s in a prime location at Orchardbank in Forfar between Dundee and Aberdeen and not far from the A90 dual carriageway.

The project was awarded funding as part of the Low Carbon Travel and Transport Challenge Fund established by Transport Scotland from funds awarded under European Regional Development Fund 2014- 2020 programme and Transport Scotland funding, where relevant, to enable everyday functional journeys to be taken by walking, cycling and public transport and to support an increased proportion on ultra-low emission vehicles on Scotland’s roads.

This project links to Angus Council’s Mercury Programme’s low carbon agenda. 

• Annan property improvement grant scheme launched

Dumfries and Galloway Council is launching a property improvement grant scheme for proprietors and occupants of commercial properties in Annan town centre and other neighbourhood centres in the DG12 postcode area.

The new scheme will operate up until 31 March 2022 or whenever the grant fund of £50,000 is fully allocated.

It provides applicants who own, or are tenants of, commercial properties in Annan town centre, or in commercial properties within neighbourhood centres within the DG12 postcode area, with an opportunity to apply for a grant towards eligible repairs and improvements to the front of their commercial properties.

Up to 50% of the cost of eligible repairs or improvements is available as a grant, up to a maximum grant of £5,000.

The amount of grant available will be specific to each applicant and individual circumstances. Where landlords are seeking grants for more than one eligible property this may be considered, however all grant awards are subject to the council’s discretion.