Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire – Year 5 Update
Renfrewshire Council · 18 August 2026
Back to Communities and Housing Policy Board — 18 August 2026 and its agenda
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 18 August 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire – Year 5 Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 Renfrewshire Council’s Housing-Led Regeneration and Renewal Programme was approved by the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board on 18 January 2022 with amended proposals for three of the eight regeneration areas also approved on 15 March 2022. 1.2 This programme continues to be delivered as a key Council priority, designed to deliver maximum benefits for residents and with the active involvement of services across the Council and with partners to deliver modern, high quality, energy efficient, affordable Council housing that will not only significantly enhance the Council’s housing stock but is also contributing to the wider transformation of communities across Renfrewshire. 1.3 This report provides members with an update on the progress made to date with regard to improvement programmes, rehousing initiatives, demolition, newbuild and community engagement across each of the eight areas within the ten-year Housing-Led Regeneration and Renewal programme. __________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Communities and Housing Policy Board: 2.1 Notes the further positive progress made in each of the eight regeneration and renewal areas within this ambitious ten-year programme.
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PUBLIC 2.2 Notes that additional measures of assistance for homeowners approved by this board are having a positive impact on the number of blocks proceeding to receive enhanced improvements across the investment programme, as set out at paragraph 4.5 of this report 2.3 Authorises the Head of Housing Services to promote a Compulsory Purchase Order in relation to the two remaining privately owned commercial properties in the Howwood Road Housing Regeneration Area outlined in Table 1, Section 4.8.5. __________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The scope, complexity and timescales for delivery of regeneration activity differ in each of the regeneration areas across the programme. Works continue in line with the phasing strategy developed to take account of delivery timescales, rehousing requirements, contractor availability, maximising grant support for owner participation and consideration of wider development constraints. 3.2 Officers are working across Council services and with tenants, residents and local community groups to ensure the voice of each community is represented for each regeneration and renewal area. The approach continues to be tailored to the needs and circumstances of each area, going beyond housing and the immediate external environment, and taking account of broader issues such as links to health and wellbeing, access to outdoor space and sustainable travel and employment or training opportunities that maximise the benefits achievable for local residents. 4. Regeneration and Renewal Area Update 4.1 This annual Regeneration and Renewal update report provides an opportunity to highlight the progress that has been made in each of the 8 regeneration areas across the programme. Some minor delays to the overall programme have been experienced with regard to the investment programme, mainly due to design clarifications and the complexity of achieving all necessary statutory approvals in advance of works commencing. Similarly, an update of the delivery of newbuild development within each area has been provided where relevant.
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PUBLIC 4.2 Positive progress continues with the acquisition of private properties where acquisition is required to facilitate demolition. Of the 89 privately owned residential properties identified at the outset, all 89 have been independently valued with 72 of these addresses now successfully acquired and in Council ownership. A further 14 owners have agreed to the voluntary acquisition of their properties and these transactions are with legal services to conclude. 5 addresses have potential to be subject to Compulsory Purchase Proceedings as previously authorised by this Board and this will be progressed if this is deemed necessary (2 of the 5 have already been demolished due to their condition). 3 further owners continue to negotiate currently. Table 1 below highlights the current position across the seven areas where demolition has been approved. Table 1 4.3 Demolition has been carried out on a phased basis, in line with the rehousing and acquisition strategy for each regeneration area. Where newbuild housing is proposed on the cleared sites, a key objective of this programme is to deliver homes of a suitable type and size that will meet current and future needs and to enable existing households to remain in the area where they choose to do so. 4.4 As previously reported, all Council tenants affected by demolition have been/are being offered suitable alternative accommodation in line with the Council’s housing allocation policy and will be entitled to apply for home-loss and disturbance payments, subject to qualification criteria, where the move is in accordance with the phasing strategy that facilitates this regeneration initiative. Total to be acquired at Outset Acquired to date With Legal Services to conclude Valued and neg cont. Auchentorlie 1 0 1 (Potential CPO) 0 Howard Street 11 11 0 0 Thrushcraigs 6 3 3 (Potential CPO) 0 Broomlands 16 13 3 Waverley 4 3 1 (Potential CPO) 0 Springbank 36 29 5 2 Howwood Road 15 13 1 1 89 72 14 3
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PUBLIC 4.5 As part of the Council's approved five-year capital programme, provision of £103.587m has been approved over the period 2026/27 to 2030/31 to support delivery of the Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme. This includes anticipated Scottish Government funding of £31.100m, resulting in a net expenditure requirement of £72.487m to be financed through HRA capital resources and associated borrowing arrangements. When combined with net expenditure incurred in previous years and planned future programme commitments, the Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme continues to remain within the original strategic planning assumption of £100m net HRA investment capacity established at the inception of the programme. 4.6 The approved five-year investment profile is set out below and reflects the current phasing of regeneration, renewal, demolition, property acquisition and new build activity across the programme. The financial position will continue to be monitored through the annual refresh of the HRA Business Plan and Capital Investment Plan to ensure ongoing affordability and alignment with programme delivery assumptions. Table 2 - Approved capital investment profile Financial Year 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31 Total Planned Expenditure 18,245 20,546 21,184 21,113 22,499 103,587 Government Funding -2,919 -3,488 -3,657 -9,621 -11,415 -31,100 Net Expenditure 15,326 17,058 17,527 11,492 11,084 72,487 4.7 Owner Engagement and Participation Engagement with private owners continues to be a key factor in the successful delivery of investment and retention proposals across the Housing- led Regeneration and Renewal Programme. Whilst there has been positive engagement from many owners across the seven regeneration areas where investment is being progressed, achieving sufficient levels of participation within mixed tenure blocks remains challenging in some locations, particularly in areas with a high proportion of private ownership. Where consultation exercises have now been completed and investment works are progressing, including areas such as Howwood Road and parts of Auchentorlie, additional measures approved by the Council, including enhanced Private Sector Housing Grant assistance, strategic use of the Acquisition of Private Housing Policy within Housing Regeneration Areas, and targeted owner engagement activity, have assisted in increasing owner participation and enabling a greater number of blocks to proceed with improvement works. Notwithstanding this progress, owner engagement continues to present a significant delivery challenge across the programme, and the ability to undertake enhanced improvements within mixed tenure blocks remains dependent on securing the necessary levels of owner agreement and participation. Officers will continue to work closely with owners to maximise opportunities for investment and to ensure that owners remain fully informed of the implications of participation and non-participation as the programme progresses.
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PUBLIC 4.8 A total of 18 properties have been acquired within regeneration retention areas to date across the following areas; Howwood Road (5), Howard Street (7), Auchentorlie (3), Springbank (1), Broomlands (1), Moorpark (1). Further negotiations are ongoing where acquisition would complete the Council’s ownership in a block or complement participating owners to progress investment works. 4.8.1 Auchentorlie, Paisley Rehousing of tenants and demolition of 5, 7 and 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant is complete and a separate commission for landscaping design is underway. This commission not only covers the land cleared by the demolition of these blocks, it also includes the surrounding common areas, boundary treatments, bin storage and recycling requirements along with the design of open areas/amenity spaces. The initial draft landscaping design for the Auchentorlie area has been discussed with tenants and residents at local pop- up events where the proposed changes were met with approval. Investment & Retention Properties The Auchentorlie investment area includes 3 blocks in full Council ownership and 7 mixed tenure blocks where the investment proposals were subject to owner consultation and agreement to participate. The Housing Investment team consulted with owners in this area, having discussed the costs for fabric improvements and associated grants that are currently available to owners to encourage increased owner participation. Successful acquisition of two properties and agreement to proceed with remaining owners in 2 blocks has allowed these blocks to proceed to receive enhanced investment, bringing the total to five of ten blocks receiving enhanced improvements within this regeneration area. The regeneration and investment teams remain open to further discussion with owners of the remaining mixed tenure blocks, should there be a change of opinion in participating in works or ownership changes in the five blocks not currently proceeding with fabric improvement works, as in some instances a only one owner hasn’t agreed to participate, which has prevented other owners who do wish to participate from proceeding with these improvements. The window installation programme for Council properties in this area continues to progress well with 36 of the 47 Council properties in this area now benefitting from new triple glazed windows.
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PUBLIC 4.8.2 Howard Street Area, Paisley Investment & Retention Properties There are 18 flatted blocks within the investment programme for the Howard Street regeneration area. Following successful acquisition of a number of properties, fully Council owned blocks in this area has increased from 6 to 9, which will see an increased number of tenants benefit from this enhanced improvement programme. This leaves 9 mixed tenure blocks (33 Council tenants and 21 private owners) where further engagement is being programmed to highlight the benefits achievable from owner participation, including the current opportunity to receive enhanced grant assistance from Private Sector Housing Grant as previously approved by this Policy Board. The regeneration and investment teams remain open to further discussion with owners in this area, should there be a change of view for participating in the works programme or an ownership change that would allow the Council to proceed with fabric improvement works. The window installation programme for Council properties in this area has commenced and at the time of writing, 61 tenants have received their new windows and 22 are yet to confirm appointments. A separate commission for landscaping design has been carried out in this area, taking account of boundary treatments, bin storage and recycling requirements along with the design of open areas/amenity spaces. This information was shown to tenants and residents at a pop-up event held within the Howard Street locality. Feedback from the event is being incorporated into further consultation material for future events and discussion. Demolition Properties Tenant rehousing from all 66 properties identified for demolition in this area is now complete. Similarly, significant progress has been made with acquisition of private properties for demolition, with all 11 previously privately owned properties now voluntarily acquired by the Council. Following a successful tendering exercise, a demolition contractor started on site on 8th July 2026 to commence the demolition of 8 of the 11 blocks of flats at this location. With the recent acquisition of the last private property in the remaining 3 blocks, officers are now progressing the associated utility disconnections and demolition surveys to advance of an appointment for the final phase of demolition for this area.
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PUBLIC 4.8.3 Waverley Road, Paisley Investment & Retention Properties The Waverley Road investment area is now fully Council owned following the successful buy back of the only private property within the 6 in a block flats at this location. The external works contractor will shortly commence investment works to these blocks including balcony replacements. The window installation programme for Council properties has progressed well with 43 of the 48 Council tenants within the regeneration boundary having received their new triple glazed windows to date. Landscaping proposals are being developed following the receipt of feedback from tenants and residents as part of the neighbourhood renewal process. These proposals look to enhance the environment surrounding the blocks and will introduce better recreation and drying spaces and improved waste disposal solutions. Demolition Properties Demolition of the 12 blocks at this location is now complete, however, the last 2 blocks were removed following the serving of a demolition order, therefore the Council are not currently the full owners at this location. A CPO may be necessary if voluntary acquisition of the last remaining private ownership interest is not forthcoming in a timeous manner. Tenants, residents and local elected members were invited to an open day event earlier this year where plans of the demolition area were shown and suggestions for the future use of the cleared sites were invited. Various ideas were submitted including the possibility of future redevelopment of the land for housing. Officers will now consider the feasibility of the suggestions, noting that implementation of any future use cannot be actioned until the site is in full Council ownership. 4.8.4 Ferguslie/Broomlands, Paisley Newbuild Housing The development of the first newbuild housing within this regeneration area will be on the site at Carbrook Street. A contract award was approved for JR Group to deliver 20 newbuild homes, subject to the award of sufficient grant funding from the Scottish Government. The Council has applied for additional grant funding, based on the construction cost and the rental income. The Scottish Government is carrying out an appraisal and it is anticipated the grant awarded will be above the minimum benchmark grant.
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PUBLIC The total cost of this project will be partly met by grant funding from the Scottish Government (as provided for in Renfrewshire’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2026/27 – 2030/31 and draft Local Housing Strategy Plan 2023 - 2028) and partly from the Council’s Housing Revenue Account Capital Investment Plan. The contract for this development will only be awarded if the grant is sufficient in line with the requirements of the HRA business plan. Demolition Properties The Ferguslie/Broomlands area includes the demolition of 5 blocks of flats. 13 of the 16 privately owned properties required to facilitate demolition have already been acquired by the Council and the remaining 3 owners have now also agreed the voluntary acquisition of their properties. Demolition of these blocks will be progressed on a phased basis following completion of the first phase of newbuild homes to be constructed on the Carbrook Street site. Investment & Retention Properties As previously advised, the Ferguslie/Broomlands investment area includes a very high proportion of privately owned properties. The ownership profile in this area has proven difficult in trying to engage with as many owners as possible to understand the general feeling of owners within mixed tenure blocks to quantify what blocks may be progressed for enhanced improvements at this time. Owners within the Ferguslie/Broomlands regeneration area were invited to an owner event earlier this year to discuss the investment proposals for the area and to provide feedback if they were interested in participating in a joint works programme or not. Given the low level of attendance at the event held locally, officers are continuing phone and in person visits to collate further responses and are keen to programme works where all owners are in agreement to invest in their block. The architectural design team are reviewing the external fabric of the sandstone blocks on Ferguslie Walk in this regeneration area, to consider the specification required to improve the energy efficiency of these blocks. 16 triple glazed window installations have been completed within this regeneration area to date with a further 61 to be progressed.
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PUBLIC 4.8.5 Howwood Road Area, Johnstone Investment & Retention Properties Following a successful owner consultation and engagement process, 16 owners across 8 mixed tenure blocks have agreed to participate in the improvement scheme for this area bringing the total number of blocks to receive these enhancements to 24 x 4 in a block cottage flats, all 16 Council owned bungalows and 2 terraced houses. Investment works are scheduled to commence in this area over the summer. Howwood Road Drop-in surgery and Facebook page The Howwood Road Area drop-in continues to be operated from a property within the heart of the Howwood Road area on a Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning each week. The office is frequently attended by tenants and residents and is often used to hold information sessions by the Council’s newbuild contractor and Active Communities as they carry out their community needs assessment within this area. The closed Facebook group is actively utilised by residents with the site growing in numbers year on year, to represent over 195 households across the area at this time. Newbuild Housing Construction of the newbuild homes remain on programme with the majority of timber kits and facing brick finish now completed, giving an indication of how the site will look on completion. It has been determined that an upgrade to the electricity supply is necessary to facilitate the Council housing development. Discussions have taken place with the utility provider, and a location for the new substation has been agreed in principle. A separate report is being presented to this Policy Board requesting approval of surplus land to facilitate this substation. The first set of newbuild homes are programmed for handover towards the end of the this year / early 2027. The housing allocation process for phase 1 applicants is now underway and at the same time the application process for households within the second demolition phase has started in order to understand their housing needs. This will help to identify those who choose to remain within the Howwood Road area as part of the regeneration programme and those who may want to be considered for rehousing outwith the regeneration area.
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PUBLIC Commercial Premises The approved Regeneration and Renewal proposal for the Howwood Area includes the demolition of the existing four commercial units at 41-47 Highcraig Avenue, Johnstone. At the outset of the project, 2 of the 4 were Council owned and the other 2 were privately owned. The condition and appearance of the retail units on Highcraig Avenue continue to be a cause of blight to the area. Further engagement attempts with the owners of the two privately owned shop units continue with a view to the Council voluntarily acquiring these units for demolition. However, in the event that voluntary agreement is not forthcoming, authority is now being sought for the promotion of a compulsory purchase order in relation to the remaining two privately owned commercial properties outlined in Table 1. Despite repeated efforts to engage with the remaining private owners, voluntary agreement has not yet been forthcoming. Accordingly, authority for CPO is sought to ensure that demolition plans can proceed in accordance with the approved programme. Table 1 Address 44 Highcraig Avenue, Johnstone, PA5 0LZ 46 Highcraig Avenue, Johnstone, PA5 0LZ 4.8.6 Springbank/Mossvale, Paisley Demolition Properties The acquisition of properties approved for demolition in the Springbank/Mossvale area is progressing well with 29 of 36 properties now within Council ownership across the nine demolition blocks. Three of the five blocks within the first phase of development have been demolished and the remaining two blocks in this phase are currently receiving pre demolition service disconnections and surveys in advance of demolition in the coming months. The temporary rehousing programme for this area is complete for phase 1 blocks and is now focussed on the application process for phase 2 applicants. Newbuild Housing A feasibility study including site investigation has been completed ahead of final demolition of the two remaining blocks. An indicative draft proposal for a 52 unit development has been designed. On completion of demolition of the two remaining blocks a tender will be issued for a design team or design and build contractor to prepare a drawing package, achieve all statutory approvals and take forward Phase 1 of the newbuild for the Springbank/Mossvale area.
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PUBLIC Investment & Retention Properties The Springbank/Mossvale investment area includes 32 Council properties and 65 privately owned properties across 6 mixed tenure blocks. 18 tenants have already received their new windows and the remaining 14 are being programmed. Owners within mixed tenure properties in the Springbank retention area were invited to an owner event earlier this year to discuss the proposed investment programme and to provide feedback if they were interested in participating in a joint works programme to enhance these blocks or not. Given the relatively low level of attendance at the event held locally, officers are continuing phone and in person visits to collate further responses and hope to programme works where all owners are in agreement to invest in their block. Further events are being planned to discuss the wider environment with tenants and residents and to understand what they would like to see included as part of the laundrette upgrades to be brought forward along with discussing possible environmental improvements for the common areas surrounding their homes. Drop in Surgery Officers continue to provide a weekly drop-in session within the Mossy Café. These drop ins are not as well attended as the others; however, officers continue to be available for tenants and residents regularly within this area to answer any questions or queries they may have regarding the regeneration programme for the area. 4.8.7 Thrushcraigs, Paisley Demolition Properties The Thrushcraigs area includes the demolition of all 16 blocks of flats within the regeneration boundary. 3 of the 6 privately owned properties required to facilitate demolition have been acquired by the Council and discussions are ongoing with the remaining owners with a view to voluntarily acquiring these properties prior to demolition. However, where voluntary acquisition is not possible, the Council will utilise the Compulsory Purchase Order powers authorised by this Board earlier this year.
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PUBLIC Five wholly Council owned and vacant tenement blocks have now been demolished in the Thrushcraigs area. Tenants and residents of the remaining blocks continue to receive rehousing priority in line with the rehousing strategy agreed for this regeneration area. The remaining blocks will be taken forward for demolition as they become fully Council owned and vacant. As previously reported to the Policy Board, three blocks of flats in this area continue to be used as temporary accommodation for homeless applicants, and due to unprecedented demand for this type and size of accommodation they continue to be fully occupied at this time. These blocks are therefore within the last phase of the demolition programme. Newbuild Housing A feasibility study including site investigations have been completed ahead of the next phase of demolition of the next two blocks in this area. An indicative draft proposal for a 33-unit development has been designed. On completion of demolition of the remaining blocks a tender will be issued for a design team or design and build contractor to prepare a drawing package, achieve all statutory approvals and take forward the newbuild development. 4.8.8 Moorpark, Renfrew Investment & Retention Properties The Moorpark area has a high proportion of private owners with 143 private flats across 75 blocks. 176 properties are Council owned within this area which includes full ownership in only 8 of the 75 blocks. The Council have no ownership interest in 16 blocks. 113 triple glazed window installations have been completed to date within the Moorpark area. As the regeneration team considers the environmental plans for the wider Moorpark area including enhancements to the areas surrounding each block and any open space or path networks around the area to assist resident discussion and engagement at future Neighbourhood Renewal events, the investment team are reviewing the works that may be required to further improve the energy efficiency and appearance of the Council owned and mixed tenure blocks where owner participation is agreed. ______________________________________________________________
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PUBLIC Implications of the Report 1. Financial – The financial background to this investment programme was detailed in the report to Council on 17 December 2020, which confirmed that the programme would be funded through sustainable borrowing within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). A strategic review of the 30-year HRA Business Plan identified sufficient headroom to support the programme, including £100 million of additional investment capacity to support long-term planning and investment priorities. The Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme continues to be funded through the HRA Capital Investment Plan and associated borrowing arrangements approved by the Council. The programme's affordability is reviewed annually through the ongoing refresh of the 30-year HRA Business Plan, with the latest review undertaken as part of the 2026/27 rent-setting process confirming that the programme remains affordable and deliverable within approved borrowing and funding assumptions. External grant funding opportunities continue to be maximised to support delivery of regeneration objectives and minimise the impact on HRA resources. Any emerging cost pressures associated with construction, property acquisition or programme delivery continue to be monitored and managed through established capital planning and HRA business planning arrangements. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None. 3. Community/Council Planning • Our Renfrewshire is well – this investment programme is contributing to improved wellbeing and quality of life for residents. • Our Renfrewshire is thriving – this investment programme will deliver a diverse range of economic and community benefit packages over the lifetime of the project. • Our Renfrewshire is safe – ensuring our neighbourhoods are safe and attractive places to live. 4. Legal – work continues with respect to acquisitions, disposals, conveyancing, and title changes as necessary. Specific conveyancing and legal advice associated with the potential CPO for commercial properties in the Howwood Road HRA including advice and representation at any hearings/inquiries should either CPO be opposed. 5. Property/Assets – as we progress through the phases of the investment programme, there is an element of property acquisitions and disposals and demolition of some existing properties as approved by the Board. 6. Information Technology – N/A
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PUBLIC 7. Equality & Human Rights – (a) The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety – N/A 9. Procurement – a Procurement Strategy has been developed to ensure the delivery of the investment, demolition and newbuild programmes include locally deliverable community benefits from each contract. 10. Risk – a risk register has been developed to consider various risks including those relating to financial and procurement as referred to in the implications section of this report. This risk register is monitored and regularly updated throughout the delivery of the Housing led Regeneration and Renewal programme. 11. Privacy Impact – N/A 12. COSLA Policy Position – N/A 13. Climate Risk – the investment programme will contribute towards meeting the Council’s targets on climate change. 14. Children’s Rights – N/A _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers Report to the Communities and Housing Policy Board, 19 August 2025, ‘Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire – Year 4 Update’. Report to the Communities and Housing Policy Board, 20 August 2024, ‘Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire – Year 3 Update’. Report to the Communities and Housing Policy Board, 22 August 2023, ‘Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire – Year 2 Update’. Report to the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, 16 August 2022, ‘Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire – Year 1 Update’. Report to the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, 15 March 2022, ‘Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire’. Report to the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, 18 January 2022, ‘Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire’.
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PUBLIC Report to the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, 18 May 2021, ‘Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire’. Report to Council, 17 December 2020, ‘Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire’ _________________________________________________________ Author: Jennifer Murdoch, Housing Regeneration Manager Email: jennifer.murdoch@renfrewshire.gov.uk, 07811 053038