Paisley Daily Express

New homes will bring fresh hope Project will offer community a chance to develop their skills

- Lauren Brownlie

A new £ 10million cont rac t to build 80 homes for rent in Bishopton will bring an additional range of community benefits including job opportunit­ies and a new M8 motorway junction.

The contract with Lovell Partnershi­ps Ltd has been approved by Renfrewshi­re Council’s Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board.

A mix of modern and spacious two and three-bedroom houses, as well as some one and two bedroom flats – including a small number with lift access – will be built.

The new homes wi l l be available to rent from Renfrewshi­re Council at Dargavel Village next year.

The contract includes an agreement to create four jobs for people new to the constructi­on industry and two apprentice­ships, as well as a series of work experience placements, school visits and careers events.

Councillor John Shaw, convener of the board, said: “We are committed to supporting the Scottish Government in its ambition to build 50,000 affordable homes across Scotland and, in approving this contract, the council will build high-quality homes available for social rent and secure benefits for the local community.

“The contract includes job opportunit­ies and qualificat­ions targeted towards people with no prior experience to give them the chance to develop their skills and make that important first step towards their chosen career.

“It will also showcase the varied roles to inspire school pupils and college students.”

The staff will be supported to complete qualificat­ions t h rough the benefits, developed in consultati­on with Renfrewshi­re’s Community Benefit Forum.

The council housing is being built on two locations on land allocated at no cost by BAE Systems, who are leading the regenerati­on of the former Royal Ordnance Factory site into Dargavel Village, with 950 homes already occupied.

Councillor Shaw added: “This is another important step towards our local target to build 1,000 new affordable homes in the five years to 2021, and in doing so create positive thriving communitie­s and encourage people to come and live and work in Renfrewshi­re.”

The regenerati­on project also includes a new M8 motorway junction to enhance Bishopton’s connectivi­ty to the wider region, with the first phase completed on schedule last year and expected to open in early 2020.

Bishopton programme manager Jon Gettinby, from BAE Systems, said: “The new affordable housing scheme in Dargavel Village is another example of BAE Systems’ longterm commitment to transform the former Royal Ordnance Factory into a new community.

“We’re working hard to create an exciting mix of residentia­l properties in the village as well as educationa­l, health, commercial and recreation­al facilities, all of which is connected to the wider region by excellent transport infrastruc­ture.”

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 ??  ?? Modern living The new housing developmen­t in Bishopton is being backed by Councillor John Shaw
Modern living The new housing developmen­t in Bishopton is being backed by Councillor John Shaw

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