A new council study has revealed green shoots of recovery for house building in Fife.
The housing survey, undertaken in April by Fife Council, reveals that 1,285 new homes were built between 2016 and17, an increase of 43% on the previous year.
This clearly suggests that Fife’s house building industry is finally showing signs of leaving behind the economic downturn and recession of 2008.
This is the first year since the recession that more than1,200 new build homes have been completed.
The new accommodation built is split fairly evenly between the council and housing associations at 48%, and the private sector at 52%.
Some 70% of new build completions were houses, and 30% were flats.
Land use was also fairly even, with 51% of new homes built on greenfield land and 49% on brownfield — previously used — land.
Economy and planning chief Robin Presswood said he was greatly encouraged by the performance of the house building industry this year.
“Although the production of new homes is some way away from pre-recession levels, the corner has been turned and we are working hard to nurture and sustain this growth.
“Fife Council is committed to accelerating the production of new homes to bolster the economy and to bring land in the local development plan forward for development to further increase housing production.”
Central Fife has seen the biggest increase, with 270 more homes built there than in the previous year, and a total of 465 completions.
Meanwhile, 573 homes have been completed in Dunfermline and west Fife, maintaining its position as Fife’s most productive area for new housing over the last decade.
Head of housing services John Mills said: “Fife has a very effective and productive affordable housing programme.
“The council and the Fife Housing Association Alliance have delivered 2,700 new homes for rent since 2012, offering a range of quality new housing to help meet the needs of local people.”
At Fife Council’s Executive Committee in January, councillors unanimously approved plans to build a further 2,800 new affordable homes in Fife over the next five years.
There is scope to boost this number to 3,500.
