Work begins on new homes in Sauchie
Published on:
20
August 2013
Construction work on 25 new homes on Sauchie began this week.
The site of the former Forth Valley College annex in Hallpark is set to become the location of the Council's new supported housing facility, which will aim to prevent and alleviate homelessness. The total cost of the project is £2 million.
The centre is expected to open in the autumn of 2014 and will include a 24-hour concierge service. There will be 25 new flats in two bocks; 15 one-bedroom flats and 10 two-bedroom flats, including one which is fully wheelchair accessible.
The Council has a statutory duty to assess and support people at risk of homelessness. The new centre will save the Council money in the long term by supporting those at risk of homelessness and minimising the number of failed tenancies in the county.
Housing, Health and Care Convenor Councillor Les Sharp, said: "These units will be much more suitable than B&B accommodation, especially for families and vulnerable people. The Council spends almost £1million per year on temporary accommodation, for homeless people this further impacts on a range of Council and other public services including social services, educational attainment and health. However, there is also the human cost to consider - homelessness or a failed tenancy affects the self esteem and potential life outcomes of not only the tenant, but the whole family.
"A project such as Hallpark puts the opportunity for a range of support services to be clearly targeted at those most in need. It additionally will prepare those households for greater independence and ultimately a more sustainable longer term tenancy of their own.
"The housing support facility also has the support of the Community Health Partnership, because it is close to the Community Hospital. It offers the opportunity to build assessment and support services for vulnerable homeless people near by - something that we've seen working well in Fife and Aberdeen."
Alloa based company, Marshall Construction Limited is building the new supported housing facility on behalf of hub East Central Scotland Limited.
Neil McCormick, Chief Executive, hub East Central Scotland said: "This investment in supported housing is the latest project in a £500million hub programme to build sustainable community-based facilities across Forth Valley, Fife and Tayside.
"The project is a great example of how the hub programme contributes to local employment through the appointment of Marshall Construction to undertake the construction programme; and to the provision of much needed local facilities - in this case a significant project targeted at supporting vulnerable people within the county."
Chairman of Marshall Construction, Robert Marshall, commented: "Marshall Construction is extremely pleased to be involved with Clackmannanshire Council and hub East Central Scotland on the construction of this new housing facility which will help to prevent and alleviate homelessness within the Clackmannanshire area. Marshall Construction is a major employer in Clackmannanshire currently employing 280 people with the majority being based in the county and the surrounding area. Our company is active in the community supporting a series of initiatives and schemes.
"Our apprenticeship scheme recruits from the local area on an annual basis with currently twelve apprentices going through the scheme. As a minimum this year, we intend to employ electrician, bricklayer and plumbing apprentices. Having been awarded the project at Hallpark, it provides an excellent opportunity for these apprentices to gain valuable experience of skills within their local community."
The project was awarded £750,000 by the Scottish Government under the new Innovation and Investment Fund 2011- New Council House Building. The Hallpark proposal has been a clear priority within the Council's Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) for four years.
Image shows James Anderson (Marshall Construction), Gordon Saunders (Marshall construction), Neil McCormick (hub East Central Scotland ), Freda Arthur (hub East Central Scotland), Councillor Les Sharp (Housing, Health and Care Convenor), Keith Brown (MSP for Ochil and South Perthshire) and Robert Marshall (Marshall Construction).