Regenerate Lochside area with affordable housing proposal to be reviewed by councillors
The housing project could see 150 homes being built.
Plans have been put forward for nearly 150 affordable new homes as part of the wider regeneration of Lochside.
A large housing project comprising 85 properties is in the works for Osborne Drive, while 63 units are being earmarked for Findlater Court.
These proposals – formulated by Wheatley Homes South – are set to be included in Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP).
The council has received £20.651m RPA (Resource Planning Assumption) funding from the Scottish Government for 2025/26, which will help to address the region’s housing emergency.
This cash is to be spent, while working in partnership with housing associations, to deliver affordable homes in locations identified as priorities in the SHIP strategy.
At the council’s economy and resources committee next week, councillors will be asked to approve these two new Lochside projects so that plans can be developed further down the line.
A report, due to be tabled at the meeting, explains that the Osborne Drive project involves a greenfield site that will house 85 units. A total investment of £21m is proposed, with £9.6m coming from RPA funds and Wheatley Homes South sourcing the other £11.4m.
The report states: “This forms part of the wider Lochside Masterplan area for Regeneration and will allow for the provision of new energy efficient homes for affordable rent.”
The Findlater Court location is described as a brownfield site that can house 63 units. The total investment would £16.5m (£7.5m RPA cash and £9m put forward by Wheatley Homes South).
The report adds: “As part of this project, we are looking to deliver specialist units for the NHS.”
For the past two years, councillors and the community have been pushing for the former Maxwelltown High site to be taken transformed into a housing development.
The derelict area has become a hotspot for antisocial behaviour, including off-road biking this year.
The council report states: “The Former Mawelltown High site in Lochside is already included in the SHIP and discussions are ongoing regarding progressing this site at the earliest opportunity.
“Current plans are for this development to assist meeting significant demand for accessible homes, and larger family properties. Engagement with private sector developers also continues in an effort to meet wider objectives of the Lochside Regeneration proposal.”
In future years, the council is expecting to receive continued RPA funding from the Scottish Government in future years as follows: £16.521m in 2026/27, £12.391m in 2027/28, and £8.26m in 2028/29.