A historical agreement between East Dunbartonshire Council and award winning developer Places for People will deliver a new future as well as new homes for the village of Twechar.

Places for People, which specialises in long term neighbourhood development projects, will be working with the local community and the council to deliver new housing and economic development opportunities to ensure the long term viability of the village.

Housing association Castle Rock Edinvar, part of the Places for People Group, will also build affordable homes for rent assisted by funding from the Scottish Government as part of the agreement.

The agreement was signed by both parties last night (Wednesday) at a special event in the Twechar Healthy Living and Enterprise Centre in the heart of the village.

The terms of the agreement will see the Council transfer three sites – the Coal Board scheme, Davidson Crescent and Glen Shirva – to Places for People which will complete the demolition process started by the Council and arrange the construction of new homes, in partnership with the local community and the Council.

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Provision of new houses is the latest part of a masterplan scheme to regenerate the village. The masterplan is being delivered by the Twechar Regeneration Group (TRG) and over the last four years a number of landmarks have been achieved.

These include development of business and industrial units, improvements to the canalside and production of a design guide and a landscape masterplan for the built environment.

Councillor Michael O'Donnell, Convener of the Council’s Social Services Committee is delighted to be a part of this landmark moment for Twechar. He said: "The partnership we have with Places for People is centred on delivering results for the people of Twechar.

"When the Council set out its vision for the village, the aim was to radically transform it by providing good quality housing, a well as community leisure, training, education, health and employment facilities and opportunities. The signing of this agreement is huge step forward for those plans."

Places for People development director for Scotland Colin Rae added: "We are delighted to be working with the local community, East Dunbartonshire Council and the Twechar Regeneration Group to revitalise the village.

"Places for People and will remain committed to Twechar for many years after construction is completed, through our expertise in building and managing mixed tenure neighbourhoods."

(GK/BMcc)