Aberdeen moves ahead with largest council house building programme for 50 years

The biggest council house building programme in Aberdeen in more than half a century has taken another major step forward, with a deal for 283 homes approved as part of Aberdeen City Council’s plans for an additional 2,000 council homes.

First Endeavour LLP is set to deliver the latest 283 housing units at Wellheads Road in Dyce, after the site was marketed at a Developers’ Day held by the council last year to encourage the private sector to come forward with housing provision.

Last year, 99 council homes were built at Smithfield, 80 are nearing completion at Manor Walk, 369 are earmarked for the former Summerhill Academy site, and there are plans for more new homes at Tillydrone, Kincorth, Craighill and Greenferns.

Council co-leader Jenny Laing said: “We are delighted to announce that we are partnering with First Endeavour LLP to provide nearly 300 council homes. As a council we are committed to finding innovative ways to deliver both services and new infrastructure, including an additional 2,000 council homes. We are working with landowners and developers to provide much-needed local authority housing.”

Fellow council co-leader Douglas Lumsden said: “Our new-build programme is gathering momentum with a number of projects underway or about to start. This isn’t just about building housing, it’s about building communities and opportunities and ensuring that our city continues to prosper in an inclusive way.”

Project and programme consultancy Faithful+Gould has been appointed to help hit the target of 2,000 additional council homes across the city. Stewart Ferguson, regional director of Faithful+Gould, said: “We are delighted to be leading one of the most high-profile and ambitious housing programmes in a generation. The council’s innovative approach is based upon the ‘Building in Quality’ methodology and will positively contribute to Aberdeen’s social housing offer and the city’s prosperity.”

Work on the £30m Wellheads Road development is expected to start in the autumn.