Demolition of the decaying homes on Livingston’s Deans South estate could start next month.
West Lothian Council’s Services for the Community PDSP heard that missives will be completed this month and housing developers Springfield are keen to make a start.
Conservative councillor Alison Adamson asked: “Are there any time scales with regards to discussion for the demolition of the existing houses which are in quite a dangerous state and causing concern in Deans South?”
Graeme Struthers, depute chief executive responsible for housing, told the meeting: “Springfield are keen to undertake demolition as quickly as possible.”
Kerry Macintosh, who has led a 16-year campaign for a new home and agreed to Springfield’s offer of a home for a home last year said it would be a day to celebrate with fireworks when Springfield came on site.
She said this week: “We are packing now and so excited. I will be looking for temporary accommodation until my new home is built, but hopefully it will happen quickly. Spoke to them [Springfield] recently and all is going well. Now it has been completed, it’s getting real. About time.”
Contracts for the new council-owned properties, 29 of which will be built at Deans South, have now also been signed.
The homes - part of the council’s 1000 House programme- will be built by CCG Construction which has been awarded the contract for Deans South and also at Eagle Brae in Livingston where another 29 homes have been planned.
Marjory Mackie, housing strategy and development manager, told the meeting that the council were awaiting final discussion on the firm’s construction programme and she would report to committee when she had the information.
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