Funding agreed for Alloa homes but material supply hits completion

Clackmannanshire Council has agreed to bridge a funding gap for the development of new dementia-friendly housing in Alloa but the project has been delayed due to a lack of materials.The 60-unit development at Primrose Street was originally due to be completed in March next year but council officers signalled a three-month delay, the Alloa Advertiser has reported.Being developed with partners Kingdom Housing Association on what was formerly a brownfield site, the vision for the project is to support an ageing population by providing quality assisted living opportunities in the heart of the town.Elected members on Clackmannanshire Council’s Place Committee were asked to approve a funding mix to plug a £990,000 gap, required to deliver elements critical to the success of the project.Part of the £990,000 required was to be covered by £512,000 from the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme, but spending the money required central approval.A council officer updating elected representatives at last week’s meeting told the virtual Kilncraigs chamber the full use of the funding was given the green light for Primrose Street.Committee convener Cllr Craig Holden said the local authority has been fortunate to have avoided a significant slip on timescales so far, considering the combined impacts of Brexit and Covid-19.