Building around 100 new Council homes in Tannahill is “a significant step” in wider regeneration aims for Ferguslie Park.

Tannahill Housing Plan

Renfrewshire councillors backed the £14million plans for the newbuild homes at the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board this week.

Its Convener, Councillor Marie McGurk is excited by this housing investment, which is also being welcomed by local residents.

“This investment in Ferguslie Park housing means tenants and residents who live in the Tannahill area will be able to stay here and the design of the new homes will be based on what they want and need,” said Councillor McGurk.

Tannahill Housing Plan

“It is a significant step forward as we improve the quality of available housing in Ferguslie Park and is just the start as we are working on wider housing-led regeneration plans over the coming years.”

There will be a phased construction of a range of different homes, designed and built to meet the needs of existing tenants and considering future needs.

Council tenants of properties which are to be subject to demolition will be offered suitable alternative housing, including moving into one of the newbuild homes or transferring to another Renfrewshire council house. Housing staff will discuss a range of options with private owners and provide housing options advice to tenants of private landlords.

Cllr Marie McGurk

Tannahill Council tenants and home owners gave their thoughts on the proposals last month, with 94% of Council tenants who responded signalling their backing for the plans, while more than 60% of private owners who gave feedback are also behind the project.

Betty Docherty, who has lived in Tannahill for 23 years, said: “I’m looking forward to having a new house and the first thing I’ll do is put the kettle on, make a cup of tea and have a natter with my neighbour.”

“There’s good people here and I like living in Tannahill, but there’s a lot of empty homes and some of the houses are in a bad way so it’ll be a massive step forward,” added Sarah Lappin, who is from Ferguslie Park and spent the last 16 years at her Tannahill home.

John McIntyre, Chair of Ferguslie Community Council said: “These new homes will breathe new life into Tannahill and give people high quality houses they can be proud of. There is a close-knit community here and I’m pleased that the council recognise this and are doing everything they can to keep that community together. It’s pleasing to see that this is just the start of the housing investment here and we will be encouraging the local community to get involved and help shape the future for Ferguslie Park.”

Christine Reilly, Chair of Ferguslie Park North Tenants and Residents Association, said: “This investment is very important as housing here has been sub-standard for a number of years and with many empty properties. It’s really important to the people here that they can stay in the area where they have been brought up and have spent most their lives, so knowing they will be able to stay until the new houses are built – I support that 100 percent and look forward to continued consultation with tenants and residents.”

Construction of the new homes is expected to start in 2020, with funding from Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Government.

Alongside this, the Council will prepare a development framework for the wider area in consultation with the local community, considering all options to secure long-term regeneration objectives.

Councillor McGurk added: “We are committed to working in partnership with the community and our housing team will be writing to all the residents in the Tannahill area and meeting with local people on a one-to-one basis to discuss the development in more detail and outline all available options for both tenants and owners.

“We are responding to the desire of the majority of people who live in Tannahill to be able to remain here and want to take action to provide homes people are proud of for now and for the future.

“We are listening to what our local communities want and their views will be at the heart of the redevelopment of Ferguslie Park.”

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