A north-east developer has called for a rethink on how the housing crisis is tackled and says more socially rented homes can be built.
Richard Duthie, director of ARD Properties in Peterhead, said Aberdeenshire Council’s policy of including affordable homes within large developments could be overhauled.
Currently builders are required to make 25% of every site “affordable”. For instance a three-bedroom family home should be marketed for £130,000.
However, Mr Duthie said mortgages remain a barrier to home ownership for many families and young people, and that new rental properties are another route to solving the region’s housing shortage.
There are currently more than 10,000 people on the Aberdeenshire Council housing waiting list.
ARD Properties struck a deal with the local authority to hand over the keys to eight new build homes in Strichen in lieu of including affordable houses in its Richmond Hill development in Peterhead.
Last night Mr Duthie said: “We handed over eight houses we built for the council to rent out as their own stock. Instead of building low cost housing on the site in Peterhead, we thought it better to do it straight for the council.
“There are still difficulties selling low cost housing. Affordable housing is still a lot of money in terms of a mortgage. Cutting the housing list in Aberdeenshire is easier with rented accommodation.”
The new homes are in Strichen’s Old School Place and include two one-bedroom homes, four two-bedroom properties and a further two family-sized houses with three bedrooms.
The deal was struck under the developer contribution scheme by which builders pay money or continue infrastructure to the local authority as part of a project.
Last night Central Buchan councillor Norman Smith, who toured the new homes in Strichen, welcomed the move and said fresh ideas to tackle housing challenges are important.
“It was good for Richard to come and show me around,” Mr Smith said. “To me it is a way forward. We can get socially rented housing along with other housing.
“It means more stock for the council which can be rented out to people in need.”
