The construction of 101 modern homes is finally underway in Ferguslie Park.
The long awaited new homes will see local families moved from damp-ridden 100-year-old properties to properly insulated homes that benefit from solar panels.
Building was due to start on the grounds of the former St Fergus’ Primary School in March but was delayed for a number of reasons including the Covid-19 pandemic.
It will, once complete, provide a mix of council housing from one-bedroom bungalows to one and two-bedroom flats and houses featuring two, three and four bedrooms.
They will be exclusively offered to existing Tannahill residents.
John McIntyre, chair of Ferguslie Community Council, said: “It’s great to see at long last the Tannahill regeneration
commencing.
“The tenants and residents in the area can now see with their own eyes the promises made to build new modern council homes are now a reality.
“We are also pleased with the way council officers have engaged with the local Tannahill community to allow them to have their say in what types of housing should be built to meet their existing and future needs.
“Without this community participation, I don’t think we would be where we are today.”
John added: “With construction of the new homes now started this will instil a sense of belief in the wider community the other regeneration plans we have been discussing with the community in recent years can be achieved with their participation.”
Tenants will move in to their new homes on a phased basis and it is hoped the final homes could be built by the end of next
year.
The 17 empty council-owned blocks in the Tannahill area will also be demolished this summer.
Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of the council’s Communities, Housing and Planning board, recently joined members of the local community on the site to see progress for herself.
She said: “Our officers have worked closely with the local community in recent years to establish what they wanted from this new housing, and the development will include a variety of house types with modern facilities, designed to meet their needs.
“We will keep in close contact with those residents as work progresses on their new homes, and as we work with them to develop the wider masterplan for Ferguslie.”
Future uses for the Tannahill site will be considered as part of The Making Of Ferguslie – the wider community-led development plan for the Ferguslie area.
A second consultation on proposals for this area will be held over the summer.
