Hundreds of new homes coming to Gallowhill and Johnstone

Exciting news is brewing in Renfrewshire, as plans are underway to construct 135 new council houses in Gallowhill and Johnstone. Renfrewshire Council has entrusted McTaggart Construction with the design and build contracts for these developments, and public consultation events are scheduled for later in May.

In Gallowhill, a £13.7 million project will see 65 new homes built on a vacant site off Montgomery Road. Simultaneously, in Johnstone, a £14.2 million development is set to create 70 homes on the site of the former Cochrane Castle Primary School.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities and Housing Policy Board, expressed her excitement about these significant projects. She highlighted the importance of these developments in meeting the demand for affordable housing and enhancing the local areas.

Both Gallowhill and Johnstone developments will offer a variety of property types and sizes, including wheelchair-accessible options and 5-bedroom council homes for the first time. These houses are designed with energy efficiency in mind, incorporating air source heat pumps and solar panels.

Furthermore, these new builds complement the substantial investment Renfrewshire Council has been making in its current council houses, with ongoing improvements such as new kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, and roof repairs.

Councillor Marie McGurk emphasised the move towards energy efficiency, stating, “Having heat pumps instead of gas boilers will make the new homes really energy efficient and is a key milestone in our work towards making Renfrewshire net zero.”

Supported by £19.8 million from the Scottish Government’s affordable housing programme, these developments are crucial in addressing the need for affordable housing in Renfrewshire. Housing Minister Paul McLennan highlighted the importance of providing quality, energy-efficient homes to meet the needs of the local community.

McTaggart Construction is conducting community consultation events to gather input before submitting planning applications later this year. Construction is slated to commence next year, with drop-in public consultation events scheduled for May.

Residents are invited to discuss the developments with the housebuilder at Thorn Athletic Sports Academy in Johnstone on Wednesday 22 May and at Gallowhill Community Centre in Paisley on Tuesday 28 May. McTaggart Construction’s Managing Director, Janice Russell, expressed enthusiasm for the projects and urged community members to share their views during the consultation sessions.

In recent years, Renfrewshire Council has delivered 315 new council homes in various locations, demonstrating a commitment to expanding affordable housing options. Additionally, a regeneration and renewal programme is in progress, benefiting approximately 1600 homes across eight areas in Renfrewshire.

These developments mark a significant step towards addressing the demand for affordable housing in Renfrewshire, while also advancing energy efficiency goals in the region. With construction set to begin soon, the future looks promising for residents in Gallowhill and Johnstone.