"OLD SCHOOL" WELCOME FOR NEW HOMES
New houses standing on the former site of Blackburn Academy - a familiar spot for local residents - have been officially opened in West Lothian by Minister for Housing & Communities, Alex Neil.
Meeting residents, the Minister said "Elm Court" is a shining example of the quality and variety of housing which can be delivered by our communities through progressive joint working by consortia like West Lothian Strategic Alliance".
Elm Court, Blackburn provides 76 new homes, comprising 36 houses and 24 cottage flats for rent by West Lothian Housing Partnership and 8 wheelchair accessible bungalows for rent by Horizon Housing Association. A further 4 houses and 4 flats have been sold under the Scottish Government's LIFT Shared Equity Scheme.
West Lothian Strategic Alliance have invested £40.9m in the last 3 years in providing new quality homes for rent and shared ownership across West Lothian. This represents 336 properties including 18 for particular needs and 24 for shared ownership.
Margaret Dunlop, Chair of West Lothian Housing Partnership said:
"Both West Lothian Housing Partnership and Horizon Housing Association, and more importantly, our tenants are delighted with Elm Court. Thanks go to Almond Housing Association as lead developer, and our other Alliance partner, Weslo Housing Management, for the joint working which has culminated in such a good example of the quality and variety of housing so desperately needed in West Lothian.
We're delighted that the Minister has been able to see the end-result of collaboration between the Alliance, the Scottish Government and West Lothian Council".