New social housing completed and keys handed to council

New social housing has been completed in Perthshire’s biggest town.

It is the second phase of homes in the Blackthorn Place development in Blairgowrie to be handed over to Perth and Kinross Council.

The latest part of the scheme includes two two-bedroom bungalows and two four-bedroom semi-detached houses.

The bungalows have wet rooms suitable for tenants with a disability or mobility issue.

When it is finished early next year, the estate will have 37 new council houses and 34 run by Hiillcrest Housing Association.

Peter Barrett, the council’s housing and communities convener, said: “Providing muchneeded affordable housing for a variety of different kinds of tenants in communities like Blairgowrie is very important.

“All of these new homes will provide additional high-quality accommodation in the town and enhance the lives of the people who live in them.

“Providing good-quality homes here will also make people want to remain living in Blairgowrie which is good for the economy and community.”

Thirteen of the homes are being sold under a social equity scheme, with three still available to buy.

Liberal Democrat Mr Barrett added: “Building more affordable housing is a key priority for Perth and Kinross Council.

“Our multi-million-pound building programme, combined with our work supporting new builds through our housing association partners, has seen more than 500 additional homes delivered right across Perth and Kinross since 2012, including more than 200 new council homes.

“Most of these new properties have been built in areas where there is an acute shortage of affordable housing for local people.”

Private housing developments in Blairgowrie have sparked hundreds of objections in recent years, due to fears about overdevelopment.

Locals fear community features such as GPs, schools and roads will not be able to cope with the hundreds of new houses planned for the coming years.