New Housing Development Planned for West Lothian Village after Council Land Sale
A former housing site in Winchburgh is set to undergo a transformation as West Lothian Council has agreed to sell the land to developer Cruden Homes for £1.2 million. The developer intends to build new flats in Glendevon Park, breathing new life into the area.
The decision to sell the land comes after the council exhausted its budget for building council housing on the site. The sale is seen as the best way to utilise the land effectively. The site, located on the southern edge of the village, has been vacant for about a decade after two blocks of flats and lock-up garages were demolished.
Initially, the council had approved the sale of the land to Almond Housing Association for a social rented housing development. However, when AHA withdrew from the agreement, Cruden Homes stepped in with an offer for a residential development comprising 49 apartments across three and four-storey blocks.
The proposed development by Cruden Homes will include a mix of housing tenures, which will be finalised through the planning process. The company will also work with the council to ensure the inclusion of appropriate statutory affordable housing provisions in the project.
During discussions at the council meeting, concerns were raised about why the site was not being developed for council housing to address the current housing shortage. The council explained that their ability to build new homes relies on grant funding from the Scottish Government, which has been fully utilised.
Overall, the sale of the land in Winchburgh signifies a positive step towards addressing the housing needs of the community and revitalising the area with new housing options. It demonstrates a proactive approach by the council to work with developers to achieve sustainable and affordable housing solutions for the residents of West Lothian.