Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association has marked a major milestone in its Renfrewshire development programme with the completion of phase one of the Paisley West End regeneration.
The first phase has delivered 35 new homes on the site of former tenements and University of the West of Scotland student accommodation on Sutherland Street. The development includes a mix of two and three-bedroom houses and apartments for social rent.
Homes benefit from off-street parking and a range of environmental features such as solar panels and modern insulation, while larger properties also include private gardens. The development was designed with local needs in mind, providing a balanced mix of apartments and family homes that fit into the surrounding area.
The project was supported by more than £4.7 million of Scottish Government grant funding and forms the first stage of a wider regeneration of Paisley’s West End. Demolition work is already progressing at Well Street and Clavering Street to make way for future housing in the area.
Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s communities and housing policy board, attended the completion event. She said: “I’m delighted to see these fabulous new homes now complete. Renfrewshire Council and Sanctuary Scotland have been successfully working in partnership for a number of years delivering much needed affordable homes in Renfrewshire.”
Mairi McAllan MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Housing, said the project highlighted continued investment in affordable housing. She said: “I’m pleased to see the completion of 35 new homes in Sutherland Street, marking the end of the first phase of the Paisley West End regeneration development. Our investment of over £4.7 million, working in partnership with Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association and Renfrewshire Council, is delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes that meet the needs of local families in the area and is helping to strengthen communities.
“We have a strong track record in affordable housing, having delivered more than 140,000 affordable homes between April 2007 and June this year, with 100,000 of these made available for social rent. Through the Housing Emergency Action Plan, £808 million will be available for affordable homes in Scotland this year. This plan also commits up to £4.9 billion through a mix of public and private sector investment over the next four years to support the delivery of around 36,000 affordable homes.”
Gillian Lavety, Director of Development at Sanctuary Scotland, said the programme was an important part of tackling housing pressures locally. She said: “The growth of our development programme in Renfrewshire is key in addressing the county’s housing emergency and ensuring local people have access to good quality housing.
“Sanctuary has an impressive track record, delivering award-winning regeneration across Scotland. We continue to work with residents and businesses within the regeneration zone to progress our plans for the next phase as quickly as possible.”
Sanctuary Scotland is part of Sanctuary, one of the UK’s largest social housing and care providers. Sanctuary owns and manages more than 125,000 homes, employs around 14,000 people and has served Scottish communities since 1996.
Photo: New tennents of the phase one of the Paisley West End regeneration.