East Lothian Courier | News | Affordable to others too!

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 10th April, 2008 08:30

Affordable to others too!

A NEW £4.2 million affordable housing development in Tranent should have been designed with only East Lothian home buyers in mind, a leading councillor declared this week.

Work is due to begin next month on the construction of 52 affordable houses, on the 43-hectare site at West Windygoul, East Lothian Council’s cabinet heard on Tuesday.

But Labour group leader, Councillor Willie Innes said he was “disappointed” at news that 10 of the properties would be sold on completion to Lothian Homes under the Scottish Government’s Homestake scheme – designed to help first-time buyers and people on low incomes.

“If we are selling 10 of these new houses to Lothian Homes will East Lothian residents be prevented from applying for them?” he asked.

Alan Forsyth, head of community housing and property management, replied: “Homestake is a government scheme and you cannot ring-fence it.

But we can make sure that these 10 houses are advertised in the local newspapers.”

Mr Innes replied: “That disappoints me, because we all know that affordable houses are in short supply here.

“Lothian Homes cover a much wider area and these houses will be available to people from across the region.”

Councillors also approved the decision to award the £4.2 million works contract to Hart Builders Edinburgh Ltd – the development, which will be known as ‘Baxter’s Gate’, is due for completion in August next year.

The 52 properties will range from one-bedroom flats to three bedroom houses.

Housing spokesman and depute council leader, Councillor Stuart Currie said: “The development at Baxter’s Gate will be the first of many that will benefit tenants and residents across the county and tackle East Lothian’s affordable housing problems head-on.”

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