Almond to acquire land for 16 homes in Winchburgh for £1

Almond to acquire land for 16 homes in Winchburgh for £1The council’s executive has approved the sale of land at Glendevon Park to the Association for just £1, subject to conditions.The 0.60 hectares plot is restricted for social housing development and features as part of the efforts to increase the social housing stock in the region, the West Lothian Courier reports.Almond Housing Association first approached the council in March 2021 regarding the potential for social housing on the site.The Association sought pre-application advice from the council’s planning service regarding a proposed housing development consisting of 16 semidetached houses and cottage flats.In a report to the executive, David Baird, the council’s property manager, said: “The site is owned by the council and is held on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and was formerly developed to accommodate low rise council flats and lock up garages.“These have since been demolished and the area is used as informal parking by residents and maintained open space.”Mr Baird added: “It is considered that the sale of land for the sum of £1 in exchange for 100 per cent nomination rights for council tenants on the first let and 50 per cent thereafter, represents best value for the council.”As the sale was agreed, council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “The sale of this land to Almond Housing Association will help contribute to the council’s affordable housing targets and provide new homes for social rent.“As there is significant pressure on housing supply the proposed housing development is a welcome addition to the supply of affordable housing in the area.”