CLACKMANNANSHIRE Council has given its Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) the green light. 

The local authority approved the 2025-2030 proposals, while councillors noted that the local authority's Resource Planning Assumption (RPA) funding from the Scottish Government for 2024/25 is £4.3 million with the expected spend to be in the region of £3.6m.

They also agreed to use £215,000 of Council Tax second homes income for the the development site at Lochies Road in Clackmannan.

Cllr Jane McTaggart, spokesperson for housing and property, said: “The council is determined to meet the evolving housing needs of our residents against a challenging backdrop of rising development costs and increasing demand."

The development at Lochies Road is a key building project for the council and it is estimated work will start early in 2025. The site will be for low-level specialist bungalow-style housing.

The council also continues to buy homes to meet the housing need in Clackmannanshire, with 38 properties bought in the 2023 to 2024 period.

Cllr McTaggart added: “We are working in partnership with our partner, Registered Social Landlords, to help deliver the homes we need as quickly as possible, as well as continuing to buy off-the-shelf properties.

“I am particularly pleased to hear about the progress made with Lochies Road in Clackmannan which, when complete, will not only offer brand new specialist homes but complement the wider regeneration of the area.”