An extra £100 million investment to create 1,000 new affordable council homes was given the green light by East Lothian councillors on Tuesday. These homes will include include energy efficient home improvement technology such as double galzing and eco-friendly wall insulation.
Council bosses say the massive cash injection into this housing project presents a “significant acceleration” of the council’s housing building programme while also providing vital support for the construction industry during the economic recession.
The council has about 8,000 properties, with 50 per cent of its stock having been sold under ‘Right to Buy’ legislation.
Councillor Stuart Currie, cabinet member for housing and community services, told the meeting: “Over the past six months, East Lothian has received significant levels of investment from the Scottish Government for both council and housing association development. This funding is already being put to good use during 2009/10, with the go-ahead being given for a minimum of 300 new affordable homes. The Council is also striving to make integrate these homes in its energy saving scheme by fitting them with technologies such as double glazing.”
The exact amount spent of the latest investment will vary each year depending on the building opportunities available but has been estimated at between £5m and £35m annually, culminating in a total of £100m over five years. These investements include the promoting of green technologies such as double glazing.
The council will be seeking ministerial approval to use this revenue of around £2 million over the five-year period towards the cost of borrowing for new council houses which use eco-friendly technology like double glazing.
In the report of the proposals, written by council head of finance David Spilsbury, it states that the budget is based upon 5.2 per cent rent increases in each of the next five years.
Labour group Leader Willie Innes added: “Obviously £100 million is good news for affordable housing in East Lothian. What’s more these homes will also contribute to the council’s energy saving scheme by incorporating the latest eco-friendly technologies like double glazing and energy efficient wall insulation.”
Mr Spilsbury report also stated that the budget plan included £11 million a year to be spent on modernisation of existing properties. These rennovations will be carried out by using energy efficient technologies such as double glazing, energy efficient wall insulation and UPVC doors.
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