First five new build homes are ready for occupancy

People delighted to be allocated one of the five newly built homes in Fernhill will begin moving in this week.

South Lanarkshire Council confirmed five of 70 homes, planned in the final phase of Fernhill’s regeneration, were completed by builders on Monday, April 18.

With a mix of two and three bedrooms, the majority of the Galloway Drive properties, it is understood, have been allocated to Fernhill families.

Daniel Lowe, executive director for housing and technical services at the local authority, said: “As part of South Lanarkshire Council’s ambitious new housing programme, the construction of 70 new council homes in Fernhill is well underway. We are delighted to confirm that the first phase of completions was due on April 18, 2016, and new tenants, who have already been selected, will be able to start moving in.

“The development provides a range of two and three bed semi-detached homes, one and two-bedroom cottage flats and a number of wheelchair accessible homes, improving the range of homes available in Fernhill to meet housing needs now and in the future. These new homes, built to the latest energy efficient and varying needs standard, represent another major milestone in the delivery of the Fernhill Masterplan developed in collaboration with the local community.”

Completion of the homes has been welcomed by locals including community champion Davy O’Neil.

He said he was keen to see the houses allocated to people who have waited a generation for a front and back door.

“Five houses have been completed and three or four of them went to Fernhill people as far as I know,” Davy said.

“The way the council allocate homes, it doesn’t matter if you come from Fernhill, their policy is if your need is greater you get the house.

“There are 70 houses to be built, we hope at least 60 of them will go to Fernhill people.”

South Lanarkshire Council has said the remainder of the homes - constructed on the site of the old shops between Fernhill Road and Galloway Drive - are due for completion in the autumn of this year, subject to good weather.

All homes are being allocated in accordance with the council’s allocation policy and successful applicants will be contacted with an offer of housing on an individual basis.