Green light for plans to build 350 homes
ALMOST 350 homes are to be built in Barrhead at a new multi-million-pound development.
Planning consent for a total of 346 properties at a site adjacent to Balgraystone Road and Springfield Road has been secured by Cala Homes.
The housebuilder said the homes will suit a wide range of owners in a “vibrant and sought after” area.
The residential-led development will be constructed on land allocated for housing by East Renfrewshire Council.
Cala had already completed the purchase of the site, which it said would “help meet demand for high-quality and sustainable housing.”
The company added that the development “will also complement ongoing regeneration initiatives locally, including work to upgrade and improve Aurs Road.”
A spokesperson told the Barrhead News: “The new development will offer a diverse mix of housing types, including terraced, semi-detached and detached homes, and range from two-bedroom starter homes to five-bedroom villas suitable for larger families.”
The plans also include a neighbourhood retail facility “which would serve the residents of the development, as well as the wider local community.”
The spokesperson added: “The site is well positioned for public transport links, which are set to be enhanced by a new train station that will be situated off Balgraystone Road and create a new stop on the Neilston line.”
According to Cala, public consultations carried out before it submitted its plans to the council attracted more than 120 people.
“Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with almost seven in 10 supporting the proposals,” said the spokesperson.
Gillian Hessett, land manager at Cala Homes (West), added: “We can’t wait to get underway with our plans for Barrhead.
“The development has been designed to suit a wide range of homeowners, from those taking their first steps on the property ladder through to growing families and downsizers, and features ample green space and attractive landscaping.
“The site has been long intended for residential development and it is extremely rewarding that Cala has been selected as the developer of choice.
“We are confident our proposals will enhance the area, supporting demand for homes and sustaining the existing community.
“The construction phase of the development will also support the local economy through direct and indirect jobs.”
Groundworks are due to start this autumn, with the first homes scheduled to be released for sale next spring.
Last week, the Barrhead News revealed separate plans are in place to create more than 300 affordable homes in the local area.
Barrhead Housing aims to provide a total of 336 new homes, of which 281 will be for social rent, by 2030.
Those plans were unveiled amid a surge in the number of people looking for an affordable home, which has doubled in the past three years.
Bosses at the housing association have also announced plans to plough £7.5million into improving its existing stock by the end of the decade.
It currently owns more than 1,000 properties across East Renfrewshire – mainly in Barrhead, Neilston, Newton Mearns and Thornliebank.
This will now increase to 1,345 within six years.
Most of these will be available for social rent but there will also be properties at ‘mid-market’ level for those who are unable to find affordable private rented properties but don’t meet priority thresholds to be allocated social housing.