Falkirk District
Unfortunately the Association’s Planning Appeal for the new build project at McTaggart Avenue, Denny has been unsuccessful. We are in the process of reviewing how we proceed to enable local housing needs to be met.

Erskine
The final phase of this 57 unit development in partnership with Bridgewater Housing Association, was completed in February this year. The project provides a high standard of design for a mainly elderly client group, with care being provided by Renfrewshire Council Social Work Department.

Maryhill
The Association is developing nine units for rent including wheelchair accessible accommodation at Ruchill in Glasgow. This project is being led by Maryhill Housing Association and developed in partnership with Bellway Homes, Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living and the Homelessness Partnership.

The project is now hoped to commence on site in May 2008, with completion one year later.

West Lothian
As part of the West Lothian Strategic Alliance, Horizon is providing seven wheelchair accessible homes across two sites in Eliburn, Livingston which are due off site in May 2008, two of which are for Shared Equity and the remaining six for rent.

A further Alliance project at Blackburn started on site in February 2008 and will be completed in around 18 months time. Horizon will provide 8 properties for rent as part of a 76 unit project.

An application for planning approval is expected to be submitted for the site at Stoneyburn which will provide 8 new properties for rent for Horizon.

Proposals are also being developed for sites in Craigshill and in Boghall which will provide a further 5 wheelchair accessible properties.

Harthill
The Association has been given the go ahead to submit proposals for a new build project at the former Harthill Primary School site in Harthill. The feasibility of developing the site including unit numbers is presently being examined. A project of around 12 units assisting both elderly and wheelchair clients, is anticipated.

Further information will be available on this project as proposals are developed.

Kelty
The Association has in principle approval to develop a small scale project at our existing care facility at 36 Keltyhill Road Kelty, in partnership with Sense Scotland. Depending on the availability of land, it is hoped that around 7 new units can be provided. The project is planned for financial year 2009/10.

Future Activity
Our aim for the future is to expand our activities as a developer and increase our stock within our area of operation. In addition to the two new projects at both Harthill and Kelty, the feasibility of developing a new 35 unit project at Myreside Street in Carntyne is being examined.

The site is currently owned by Bellway Homes and is part of a larger new build site providing in excess of 600 new homes for sale as part of a larger regeneration plan for the area.

Staffing
The Association is pleased to advise that Gail Ray has been appointed by the Association as Development Officer, a permanent post, from April 2008 and Fiona Turnbull is the Association’s new Development and Property Investment Assistant. Both members of staff will be invaluable in progressing new and existing projects and in assisting the delivery of improvements to the Association’s own stock.

Improvements to existing homes
Ensuring that our existing housing stock is maintained to the highest standards remains our priority. Part of this is to ensure that components such as kitchens, boilers and bathrooms are replaced when they reach the end of their life.

Unlike the new build projects, the Association receives no external funding for this work which requires to be funded out of our ongoing revenue budget which is funded by the rent you pay as a tenant of the Association.

We have now developed the Brief for the Stock Condition Survey which will give us much needed detailed information on the condition of our stock. This will enable us to plan future improvements to our housing stock.

In addition, we intend to carry out further kitchen and planned boiler replacements next financial year and we will make an announcement in the near future on the location of these planned improvements

Should you wish further information on any of Horizon's development projects please contact our Director of Development and Property Investment, Margaret Turner, on 01506 424140 or by email at: e-mail@horizonhousing.org

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