Affordable Housing In Aberdeen

Land on the site of a derelict paper mill in Aberdeen has been bought to provide more than 360 affordable homes.

The Donside site in Tillydrone has been acquired by Devanha Housing Partnership, a group of local housing associations, with support from Communities Scotland, the Executive’s housing and regeneration agency.

The 25-acre site is the first major purchase by Devanha and the largest piece of land ever bought by affordable housing partners in the north east.

The former industrial plant will be cleared and prepared for the development of the new homes which will carry an overall re-development value of around £50 million.

Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
“It is very much at an early stage, but securing such a large and important site for affordable housing is great news for Aberdeen.

“It is another excellent example of close working between Communities Scotland, local housing associations and local authorities. We have already seen it happening in Portree, Moray and elsewhere – helping communities to stay vibrant and prosperous.

“Getting the land is the first step to providing the homes families need and can afford. There is a certainly a shortage of such sites in Aberdeen and this will also help boost regeneration efforts in Tillydrone and across the city.”

Sandy Murray, Chief Executive of Tenants First (on behalf of the Devanha group), added:
“The Donside Mill project realises our vision to create an urban village in Aberdeen, dedicated to meeting the increasing demand for affordable homes in the city.

“Bringing together a number of housing associations under the banner of Devanha Housing Partnership has brought life to a project that, with 365 homes, is on an unprecedented scale.

“The Donside urban village project is also highly significant in economic and community terms. At £50 million, this is a massive investment in the local economy and I am also certain that it will be the catalyst for welcome regeneration within the wider Tillydrone community.”

Councillor Aileen Malone, vice-convener of Aberdeen City Council’s community services committee, said:
“The need for affordable housing and, in particular affordable family housing, is obviously a key issue for the city, and has been the subject of much debate generally, and in the preparation of the finalised local plan.

“If we want the city to continue to prosper, we must provide good quality homes of all tenures in the city, and I’m pleased to see developments like this come forward to address that need.

“The Donside Papermill site is clearly a prime site and our officers will continue to work closely with the Devanah group to ensure the best possible use for it.

“The application, when lodged, will be subject to the usual planning process, which will include consideration of any representations made.”

Gordon Smith, Communities Scotland’s area director for Grampian, concluded:
“This is a landmark for the housing associations in the north east that have come together to make more effective procurement of sites and services in delivering homes for people in the north east.

“Communities Scotland has provided funding to acquire this site and now looks forward to effectively delivering affordable homes on the site.”