West Lothian Council has unveiled the next phase of its plan to complete a plan to build 3000 new homes by 2022.
It comes as the Scottish Government has requested that all local authorities submit a five year Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) which will augment their current local housing strategies.
The major objective of the SHIP is for local authorities, in conjunction with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), to ascertain the viability of current and future social housing investment opportunities.
The council’s RSL partners have identified a number of development opportunities and the council also has an ambitious programme of new build council housing. The council’s Executive heard that the involvement of RSL partners was key to the success of the housebuilding programme.
West Lothian Development Alliance (WLDA), Places for People/Castle Rock Edinvar, the Wheatley Group (West Lothian Housing Partnership and Dunedin Canmore Housing Association), Cairn Housing Association, Home Group and Ark Housing Association have all identified potential sites.
Meanwhile West Lothian Council has approved development for 168 affordable homes across the county as part of its own new build programme which will aim to deliver 250 new homes in the next phase.
Council sites will include Vion, Broxburn; Standhill, Bathgate; Brucefield, Livingston; Mossend, West Calder and Eagle Brae, Livingston.
Further sites for up to 82 properties have been identified in Bathgate and a site for specialist housing provision at Cawburn Road has also been included for people with complex needs.
Executive councillor for services for the Community George Paul said: “West Lothian has one of the most ambitious targets for delivering social housing in the country. The Strategic Housing Investment Plan presents an opportunity to set out key investment priorities for affordable housing and demonstrate how these will be delivered. This also enables the Council and RSL partners to develop a more strategic approach to the development of sites in West Lothian.”
