A further £38,000 is to be spent renovating a flat in Castle Douglas’ clock tower.
It will take the total spent on refurbishing the property to more than £220,000.
South of Scotland Community Housing (SOSCH) has applied to the council’s town centre living fund for more cash to go towards the scheme, which aims to boost affordable housing provision in the town.
Members of the economy and resources committee are expected to rubber stamp the move on Tuesday.
The flat has been empty for more than a decade with the council’s homelessness service stopping using it in 2010.
It was previously owned by Castle Douglas Common Good fund with members told in 2019 that the property was in “surprisingly good” condition given how long it had lain empty.
It was agreed last year to put it up for sale with SOSCH purchasing it for £70,000.
That money came from the Scottish Government’s town centre capital fund, administered by the council. The fund also awarded £118,146 towards refurbishment costs while £9,000 came from the rural housing fund for a feasibility study.
Now SOSCH is looking for a further £37,958 from the council’s town centre living fund which comes from council tax on second homes.
That will take the total cost of the project to £226,104.
The extra cash is needed for increased project costs and improved energy efficiency measures.
A report for members says that as well as increasing affordable housing provision, refurbishing the flat will “support and stimulate the local community by providing opportunities to live and work in town, offer greater access to services and businesses increasing their sustainability and provide a locally managed, affordable housing option”.
The report also notes that the work will ensure a retail unit in the building, still owned by the common good fund, is still able to be
used.
