New homes unveiled in Earlston - days after council declared local housing emergency
Last updated 9th Jun 2024
It's hoped Scottish Borders Council's decision to declare a local housing emergency last month will help attract more investment to build new homes in the region.
Eildon Housing's chief executive Nile Istephan revealed properties at a new 64-home development in Earlston have been attracting bids from more than 80 people EACH.
"Declaring a housing emergency isn't a bad thing," he told Greatest Hits Radio, at an open day to mark the completion of the project. "But in and on itself it doesn't change anything.
"If it shines a spotlight on the issue that's important, but in order to address that issue we need consistent long-term investment in new homes. We can't do it as a flash in the plan."
His comments came as it emerged the latest phase of a social housing development nearing completion in Galashiels has been put on hold for six months after the local contractor went bust.
This too after the Scottish Government declared a national housing crisis.
Mr Istephan said: "Its not about remembering to do (something) now and then forget it in five years, we need to constantly address these issues."
And, he added: "Hopefully, the attention that's being paid to housing issues now will result in that going forward."
Children from Earlston Primary have unveiled a new mosaic celebrating the town's links with Thomas the Rhymer, to mark the completion of the Pleasance Park project.
The £12.8 million development - which is made up of 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms homes - has been built on the site of the former High School, and next door to the new primary school which is currently under construction.
Mr Istephan said: "It's been a long time in the making, it's quite a complex site; but we're really proud of the outcome, and we've worked really well with the local community and the council and the contractor (Cruden). So it's been a big team effort, and it's a big day for us today."
Tenants are set to start moving in to the newly-built homes as soon as next week.
But Mr Istephan admits the housing association could have filled them many times over.
"It's been different in different phases," he said. "But you get 80 plus bids per property on them. And, even though it's been released in phases, and the last phase you might have thought there would be fewer people bidding.
"But there's still an incredibly strong demand - still a lot of need - for more affordable homes the length and breadth of the Borders. And that's something we're determined to keep trying our best to provide."
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