Housing’s big boost
Work begins on £2.4m project
Social housing in East Kilbride was given a boost when the first sod was cut on a £2.4 million development.
East Kilbride Housing Association (EKHA) has started building new properties for the first time in almost a decade.
And there was a ceremony at Dundas Place in the Village to mark work commencing on the site.
In partnership with Charlesfort Limited, EKHA is constructing 18 two-bedroom flats at a total cost of £2.4m, over £1m of which is a grant from the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Government plan to build 50,000 new affordable homes by 2021.
The ceremony was attended by East Kilbride SNP MSP Linda Fabiani and the minister for local government and housing, Kevin Stewart MSP, who welcomed the new development in boosting affordable housing.
Ms Fabiani said: “It was a real pleasure to be there with the housing minister at East Kilbride Housing Association’s sod-cutting ceremony to mark the association’s new-build development in Dundas Place – a great site right in the heart of the town.
“East Kilbride HA is very special to me, as it was my appointment as their first member of staff which brought me to the town in the first place.
“East Kilbride needs more socialrented housing and the local housing association has much to offer.
“With grants from the Scottish Government and East Kilbride HA’s expertise in housing development, management and maintenance, I am glad to hear that there are further plans for further small-scale developments.”
EKHA chair Graham Keith commented: “We are excited and delighted to be building again.
“This is something we have been unable to do for several years until the conditions became less risky and much more favourable financially and politically.
“We have had very positive dialogue with South Lanarkshire Council, the Scottish Government, developers and landowners, and other partners and potential partners, and as a result we have several small sites earmarked for development.
“This will therefore be the first of many, and their completion will be a fitting way to celebrate our 25th anniversary next year.”
East Kilbride Central North councillor Joe Fagan, leader of the council’s Labour Group, said: “I welcome this development and it’s good to see East Kilbride Housing Association beginning work.
“We all know that we are in desperate need of more affordable housing in East Kilbride.
“It’s really encouraging to see East Kilbride Housing Association are doing their bit to meet this growing need.”
But he added: “There is, however, a lot more that needs to be done to bring down the waiting list for housing in East Kilbride.
“The previous South Lanarkshire Council administration policy to build 1000 new council houses is a good start.
“But we do need our partners like East Kilbride Housing Association to be part of the solution as well.”