West Lothian sets £100m housing budget

West Lothian Council has agreed to spend more than £100m over the next three years to increase and improve its existing housing stock.Over £55m from the budget will be spent on the creation and acquisition of new homes. This includes the completion of the council’s current new build council housing programme with the addition of a further 250 new build homes. The capital programme for housing will also invest over £45m to improve the existing stock.The new investment was approved was approved by the council yesterday (18th February).Open market acquisitions will continue to be incorporated into the programme, as the council continues to look at expanding the housing supply working alongside registered social landlords (RSLs) and other partners to achieve the aim of delivering 3,000 new houses during the period 2012-2022. Over 2,000 affordable homes have been delivered since the beginning of 2012.Major refurbishments in the planned programme include the completion of regeneration work at the Bathville flats in Armadale as well as the continuation of roof, render, stair and balcony works at the Lochs Scheme in Whitburn.