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Housing Association News
Affordable Housing in Perth
Oudenarde is a new village being built in the Earn Valley, close to Bridge of Earn. GS Brown Construction Ltd, the owner, has prepared a master plan which incorporates a village centre adjacent to a proposed primary school and a comprehensive landscape/open space network creating development zones for take-up by different house builders. This will create a wide range of house types and tenancies all linked in an over-arching concept by the master plan.
The plan provides for a provisional target of around 1200 houses of which at least 300 will be for affordable rent and low cost home ownership. To that end, Hillcrest Housing Association purchased 20 acres for development by them on a phased basis. The first phase of 75 houses is now nearing completion.
Geoff Brown, Chairman of G S Brown Construction, said yesterday:
“It has taken an extraordinary amount of time to get to where we are and, frankly, if I had been able to foresee the delay, negativity and rising cost burdens I doubt if I would have had the stamina to get this far. The fact that critics have said that it “would never happen” has been one of the main reasons I have stuck with it!
“It has been very satisfying, therefore, to see the first of the much-needed affordable housing being completed and occupied. It is encouraging, too, that Hillcrest have sufficient confidence in the location to make a commitment already to the next phase of the development comprising another 75 houses.”
The Heenan family were one of the first Hillcrest tenants to move into their new home and are delighted with the property. Mr Heenan commented that “We have been a tenant with Hillcrest since 1999 and previously lived in a 1 bedroom flat in Perth. After the birth of our daughter Daisy 9 months ago we were over the moon to be offered this house. Daisy was born with cystic fybrosis so even a trip to the shops was turning into a military operation at our old flat with 3 storeys of stairs. Daisy has settled in brilliantly to her new own room and we’re all pleased to have a garden for the first time.”
Manus McGinty, Hillcrest Director of Development, explained that “Oudenarde is the single biggest acquisition in the 40 years history of Hillcrest and one of the biggest acquisitions ever to be made by a Scottish Housing Association. We are committed to the creation of affordable housing opportunities, in a range of sizes and tenures, for people throughout Perthshire and our development will assist in the relief of the current pressure on the housing market in Perth.”