Homes for military heroes in Angus remain on target to become a reality.
That is the latest assurance given by the area’s communities chief after suggestions a fresh question mark has been raised over the prospect of five wheelchair-accessible homes for ex-service personnel being built as part of a £2 million council-led scheme on the site of Carnoustie’s former Camus House care facility.
The overall design for the burgh site includes 11 council houses and five Houses for Heroes Scotland properties, which emerged as a controversial part of the scheme when it was put before elected members earlier this year.
The charity will lease part of the Camus House site at a peppercorn £1 rent for 100 years in a move which supporters said would further Angus Council’s pioneering 2012 covenant aimed at assisting former and injured service personnel in their transition back to civvy street.
Despite widespread support for the Houses for Heroes plan, there was criticism from some quarters that the Carnoustie scheme had not included units for locals with additional needs.
The heroes’ houses issue is now back in the spotlight as part of the procurement process for the £2.09 million project.
Within the past few days, Angus neighbourhood services committee has agreed the authority’s £1.5 million contribution to the project as part of a procurement process which will now move on to the issue of tender documents before the end of the year.
A site start is scheduled for April 2015, with the full project completed in a year.
Carnoustie councillor Bill Bowles said alarm bells were ringing over the news that the Houses for Heroes monies have still to be formally committed.
“I thought this was pretty done and dusted, that Houses for Heroes would contribute and yet it appears that there’s a huge question mark now. What is happening here, and why?”
“If the funding doesn’t come ahead, where does that leave us with the adult residents with learning disabilities who are looking for respite care will that improve things or make things worse for them?” Mr Bowles added.
Communities strategic director Alan McKeown said he had no concerns over the specially adapted homes being delivered.
“We’re not anticipating any problems with the funding for Houses for Heroes, we know what we have got and we are meeting with them next week,” he said.
Mr McKeown’s report added: “The five wheelchair-adapted houses, whether managed and maintained by Houses for Heroes Scotland or Angus Council, will provide an increase in the number of wheelchair designed social rented houses in Angus and ensure that people do not end up in unsuitable or temporary accommodation for lengthy periods.”
The director added, however, that in the event of Homes for Heroes nottaking on the five homes, there could be Scottish Government grant implications for the council.
“Only grant relating to the 11 Angus Council houses has been included in the council’s grant funding agreement with the Scottish Government, as the remaining funding package will be provided by Houses for Heroes.”