Scottish Government housing minister Alex Neil was in Dundee to see residents of the first council houses to be built in the city in a generation.
Dundee City Council has spent £1.7m building the 12 properties on Dryburgh’s Ettrick Crescent, two of which are specially designed bungalows for wheelchair users, and two others on nearby Angus Street.
Robert and Janine McEwan said it was a delight to move their young family into the three-bedroom property in Ettrick Crescent.
“These houses are fantastic,” said removal man Robert. “This has changed our lifestyle as a family completely. We were on the list for six years, living in a small, cramped flat in Balmoral Gardens…”
Improvements like solar- powered air-conditioning and thick insulation mean the house will also be cheaper and easier to heat.
Around the corner, Elizabeth Dolan said she was just as pleased with the home she shares with daughter and job centre worker Margaret Laverick and grand-daughter and Morgan Academy schoolgirl Rebecca Chalmers.
Housing convener Jimmy Black said the authority was committed to filling the gaps in its housing stock where funds allowed.
He stressed that the new homes were environmentally-friendly and good for wheelchair users, with features including adjustable sinks, wet rooms and even flexible use rooms for use by family members or carers who are forced to stay over.
Councillor Black said, “The council is investing about £9m on the current phase of new housing stock to provide 69 homes, with Scottish Government grants of £800,000 towards the cost of fully-adapted wheelchair houses.First in a generation”These are the first of our new council-built houses and, although the tenants have only recently moved in, I am sure they are already enjoying the benefits of their new homes.”
The council houses, built by Muirfield Contracts, are the first to be constructed in the city for more than 20 years.
Mr Neil’s visit was in recognition of the cash chipped in by the Scottish Government to ensure a proportion of them were fully adapted for disabled living.
“Scottish Government funding has helped Dundee City Council to reverse the decades of decline in council house building. That is good news for families across the city that want access to high quality, affordable homes,” he said.
Later Mr Neil visited Lochee High Street for a tour of the work done as part of the £2m improvements to the area.
He was accompanied by officials from Dundee City Council including Gregor Hamilton, team leader for partnerships in regeneration, and Ged Bell, chairman of the local community partnership, as well as city planning director Mike Galloway.
After a walkabout Mr Neil said it was great to see “major progress.”
He said he was sensitive to concerns of locals and traders, but stressed that recent works were just the first step in a master plan for the area.
“The fact that we’ve had a recession makes it all the more important that the regeneration of Lochee is completed to bring more money, more people and more spending power into the area,” Mr Neil said.
“I fully expect to come back in five or 10 years time and see Lochee totally transformed.”