Click here to return to the Press Release Index

25th March 2008

MSP Highlights Affordable Housing Need

North East Tory MSP Alex Johnstone is calling for more work to be done in identifying sites that could be used to address the shortage of affordable housing across Deeside and the Mearns.

Commenting, Mr Johnstone said "The need for low cost housing is one that I am approached on time and time again.  I appreciate that new housing developments are contentious subjects, but there is a big difference between developments of large, luxury style properties, and the more modest homes that young families so desperately need."

"I appreciate that luxury homes bring in more profit for the developer, but developers also have a responsibility to provide homes that answer the market requirements, and this may mean a higher percentage of low cost homes per development."

Mr Johnstone also urged developers to bear in mind the effects of energy prices on homeowners. He said "Soaring energy prices are making severe dents into household budgets and careful building design, with an eye towards carbon neutral building will go a long way to not only assist those homeowners on a modest income, it will also assist the environment."

"The Scottish Government should not be afraid to take control of this situation, and I call on it to do more to encourage, and indeed help local government provide the homes that are needed, not just in the Aberdeenshire, but across the whole of Scotland."

Mearns Councillor George Carr strongly supported the sentiments expressed by the NE MSP.   "Alex is right to call for more low cost housing and I am very keen to see this incorporated in all our housing developments. Our Mearns villages require a mix of properties to cater for first time buyers, older residents wanting to "down size" and for single people. It is essential to see this mix of housing as I believe it maintains our vibrant Mearns community spirit and any imbalance in the types of houses we build could damage that severely. Action is urgently needed to address this issue as Aberdeenshire currently has over 7000 people on the council house waiting list, and the list is growing at over 1000 each year!"