A £4 million housing development helping to regenerate Dundee’s Whitfield area could be occupied by autumn.
Work is progressing since the demolition of the last of the Dundee City Council houses in Ormiston Crescent last year and the project is the final stage of the regeneration of the street, which started more than 25 years ago.
Scottish Government minister and Dundee East MSP Shona Robison saw the progress being made when she was shown around some of the 32 homes being developed by the Angus Housing Association (AHA).
Company director Bruce Forbes said: “The houses are the furthest ahead and are nearly 90% complete and should be available to let to new tenants in the autumn.
“All of the houses are for affordable rent with just over 50% of funding coming in subsidy from the Scottish Government and the balance being privately financed by a loan from RBS. The whole site will be complete on time and within budget by spring of next year.”
The regeneration started 25 years ago with the Ormiston People’s Housing Co-operative, which had become part of Angus Housing Association in 2003.
Local councillor Willie Sawers said: “It’s great to see progress on new-build housing which, as well as providing much-needed high-quality homes, also helps to support the local construction industry.”
One of the homes visited was a four-bedroomed, single-storey house that is being built to full wheelchair standards for two sisters who both have complex care and support needs. It includes bedrooms for their carers.
Ms Robison said: “In my role as cabinet secretary for health, I know the challenges ahead in delivering the integration of health and social care and the contribution that quality housing provision will have to make in delivering its objectives.
“I am, therefore, delighted to already be witnessing an excellent example, first hand, of how Dundee City Council and Angus Housing Association are stepping up to meet this challenge by working together on designing and building this new, one-off home which will allow two sisters to continue living together as a family in the community of their choice.”
The development’s architect is Ken Duncan, of Kerr, Duncan and McAllister.