Council houses are to be built in Clackmannanshire for the first time in over 25 years.

£2.3 million project will see 24 new houses being built in Tullibody and Alva. This funding includes a contribution of £600,000 from the Scottish Government.

Council leader Sam Ovens said: "Clackmannanshire Council is committed to providing quality, affordable housing for the people of Clackmannanshire. These new homes are desperately needed and they will just be the first step towards addressing the serious imbalance we face between genuine housing need and the availability of Council houses.


"They will also be affordable, energy efficient and accessible. The last houses built for rent by the Council were in the 70s, so hopefully today's decision will kick start a new era for social housing in Clackmannanshire. At the same time our existing 5000 tenants are relying on us to deliver the Clackmannanshire Quality Housing Standard by 2015 and we cannot do anything that would jeopardise that commitment."

Councillors agreed at today's Council meeting to continue the regeneration of the Newmills/Orchard area of Tullibody with the construction of 16 new two bedroom houses for rent on the site currently occupied by lock ups at 80-98 Newmills.

Councillors also agreed to refurbish 20 currently occupied flats at 1-19 and 21-39 The Orchard, Tullibody, at an additional cost of £665,000.

And eight much needed homes for older people will be provided at the current Dalmore Centre, Alva. There will be four one bedroom and four two bedroom houses. The Dalmore Centre, which is a former infant school, was recently listed and ongoing feasibility work for the site if subject to detailed discussions with Historic Scotland.

(GK)