Launch for �77m housing project

Hundreds of homes will be demolished as part of the project

A £77m housing regeneration scheme that will see 400 homes demolished and a further 500 built in Stranraer and Dumfries has been officially unveiled.

Housing Minister Alex Neil confirmed the project would also safeguard and create jobs at a local building firm.

The initiative was said to be Scotland's largest ongoing regeneration programme.

It will see the region's worst housing demolished and replaced by modern, affordable homes for rent and sale.

Almost 200 properties will be demolished in Dickshill, Stranraer, and replaced with 207 semi-detached, terraced and flatted low-rise homes.

In Dumfries, 61 flats and houses in Summerville Crescent will be replaced by 38 self contained houses, with 113 flats demolished and replaced in the Babbington Drive and Crecent area.

Discussions are ongoing with NHS Dumfries and Galloway to also build a health facility on the Summerville Crescent site.

A further 178 semi-detached houses will be built on a Greenfield site located on the edge of the Lochside area, adjacent to Maxwellton High School.

Mr Neil said the project would secure jobs at local building firm R & D Construction Group for the next three years.

DETAILS OF THE PROJECT

199 properties demolished in Dicks Hill, Stranraer, to be replaced by 207 homes

85 semi-detached homes built in Ailsa Gait, Stranraer

61 homes in Summerville Crescent, Dumfries, to be replaced by 38 houses and proposed health facility

113 houses demolished in Central Lochside, replaced by 78 houses

178 houses to be built on edge of Lochside area

Additional site sought in Stranraer to build 40 rented homes

He added: "The Scottish Government is investing record sums in affordable housing, £1.5bn over three years. Of this Dumfries and Galloway is this year receiving £14.2m

"This work on the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme is great news for everyone in Dumfries and Stranraer.

"As well as supporting local jobs this will make a huge difference for many people and their families in the area to get decent homes that they can afford."

The Neighbourhood Renewal project is being funded by Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership (DGHP), the Scottish Government and the local council.

DGHP's Chairman John Potts said: "This is a historic day for the tenants and residents in Dumfries and Galloway.

"This is Scotland's largest ongoing regeneration programme, and without doubt the biggest single investment in housing that this region has ever seen."

John Hume, chairman of R & D Construction Group, added: "Through this contract we expect to directly employ around 350 local people, and indirectly through our sub contractors will be responsible for the employment of a further 100 throughout the duration of the project.

"Undoubtedly this contract will help provide stability during this difficult time for the construction industry in Dumfries and Galloway."