A developer who has tabled plans for 10 flats in a north-east market town claims the new homes would ease the burden on the council house waiting list.
There are currently around 10,000 names on Aberdeenshire Council’s waiting list for accommodation, a backlog which could take years to clear.
Now a Banff developer who is bidding to build a three-storey block of apartments in nearby Turrif says schemes like his offer an alternative.
Robert Moffat has applied to build 10 flats on the site of a former DIY shop and yard in the Castlehill area.
Last night Mr Moffat said: “My personal idea would be to have the flats as I would say – in layman’s terms – old-fashioned council housing.
“The council or housing association could have a long term lease on the flats which would add to their housing stock at no capital expenditure to them.
“This would allow housing to be made available where local young single people and couples who work and contribute to the community have an option to have a place of there own at reasonable rent for a good standard of accommodation.”
Mr Moffat said the development would also offer property suitable for “older people” looking to downsize, which could free up larger homes for young families and contribute to “solving the housing issues in the area.”
The planning application for the new flats also includes room for 14 car parking spaces and an area for waste collection.
In a new report to the region’s housing committee, Aberdeenshire Council’s affordable housing officers have revealed that in the last 12 months, 249 new affordable houses have come onto the market in the area.
Team leader Elaine Reid said: “Partners across both the public and private sectors have continued to work together to deliver much need affordable homes across Aberdeenshire.”
The new housing stock includes 131 properties for social rent, 29 mid-market homes, 84 low cost houses and five homes bought from the open market.
The Castlehill flats application is open for public comment until Thursday, June 16.
