3. Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire – Year 4 Update - Report
Renfrewshire Council · 19 August 2025
Back to Communities and Housing Policy Board — 19 August 2025 and its agenda
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Communities and Housing Policy Board On: 19 August 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Environment, Housing, and Infrastructure Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Housing-led Regeneration and Renewal Programme for Renfrewshire – Year 4 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 areas within the ten- year Regeneration and Renewal programme. 1.4 As consultation with owners for investment in retained stock continues across 7 of the 8 areas within the programme, it is to be noted that meeting Scottish Government Energy Efficiency targets continues to be extremely challenging in blocks where the Council does not have full ownership. __________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Policy Board: (i) Notes the positive progress made in each of the eight regeneration and renewal areas within this ambitious ten-year programme.
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(ii) Notes that challenges are being presented in mixed tenure blocks where owners are not in agreement to proceed with proposed investment works. ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. Progress Summary 3.1 Each regeneration area has a dedicated Housing Regeneration Officer and Development Officer with responsibility to deliver key actions, including the effective communication with tenants, residents, and private owners. The Council’s website has a dedicated Housing Regeneration and Renewal section, and this is updated in line with the delivery timeframe to ensure that residents can access current and up to date information for their area, as and when they require it. 3.2 The scope of regeneration activity and timescales for delivery differ in each of the regeneration areas across this ten-year programme, with some more complex than others. A phasing strategy was developed to take account of a number of factors including, delivery timescales, rehousing requirements, contractor availability, maximising grant support for owner participation and consideration of wider development constraints. The timeline for the Housing- Led Regeneration and Renewal programme was presented to the Board in August 2023 and has been broken down into each area’s update in section 4 of this report with a vertical line added to highlight the position as at the end of July 2025. 3.3 A new approach to Community Neighbourhood Renewal will incorporate the voice of community representatives, Council Services and third-party partners operating in parallel with the physical regeneration plans for each regeneration and renewal area. The approach is 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. The aim of this approach is to strengthen community voices and improve place-based decision making across all regeneration areas in Renfrewshire to enhance and measure the offering and impact of the renewal programme. 4. Regeneration and Renewal Area Update 4.1 The 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 side, mainly due to design, specification and the building warrant process. In general, all areas therefore remain as previously reported, with the exception of the delivery of newbuild homes for the first phase of the Broomlands area as detailed further in paragraph 4.5.4 below.
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4.2 Positive discussions continue with owners across seven of the eight regeneration areas, where acquisition is required to facilitate demolition. Of the 89 privately owned properties identified for acquisition at the outset, 64 have been acquired by the Council, a further 12 are agreed and with legal services to conclude, 9 are at various stages of the negotiation process and 4 remain to be valued. 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 will be 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. 4.5 Officers continue to review the mixed tenure nature of blocks within retention and investment areas having identified a number of opportunities where consideration has been given to a number of acquisitions that would increase the Councils ownership position in some blocks, where this could allow investment works to proceed for an increased number of blocks and/or improve the likelihood of future repairs and maintenance being delivered. More information on the current ownership profile in each retention area is contained in the area updates detailed further below. Total at Outset Acquired With Legal Services to conclude Valued and neg cont. Valuation to be instructed Auchentorlie 1 0 0 1 0 Howard Street 11 8 2 0 1 Thrushcraigs 6 3 0 3 0 Broomlands 16 12 3 1 0 Waverley 4 3 1 0 0 Springbank 36 27 5 1 3 Howwood Road 15 11 1 3 0 89 64 12 9 4
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4.5.1 Auchentorlie, Paisley 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 owner participation. Despite 7 of 16 owners agreeing to participate in works, this has only allowed one additional mixed tenure block to have full agreement as at least one ownership interest refused to participate in each of the other blocks. Discussions are now ongoing with regard to the possible acquisition of a number of privately owned properties that could allow works to progress in additional blocks in the future. At present, there is agreement for four of the ten blocks to receive enhanced investment as per the plans proposed for this area at this time. We remain open to further discussion should there be a change of direction or ownership in the six blocks not currently proceeding with fabric improvement works. The window installation programme for Council properties in this area has commenced and at the time of writing, 11 tenants have received their new windows. A separate commission for landscaping design has been carried out, taking account of boundary treatments, bin storage and recycling requirements along with the design of open areas/amenity spaces. This draft landscaping design was discussed with tenants and residents at the pop-up event held on 13th August within this locality. Demolition Properties The blocks at 5, 7 and 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant have been demolished and the privately owned flat at 9 Auchentorlie Quadrant will be subject to a Compulsory Purchase Order in the coming months as per previous authority approved by this Board.
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4.5.2 Howard Street Area, Paisley Investment & Retention Properties There are 18 flatted blocks within the investment programme for the Howard Street area. Six are fully Council owned and 12 are of mixed tenure. The owners within these mixed tenure blocks were recently consulted and advised of the specification, price of works and grant availability and unfortunately only one completed return was in support of the works proceeding. However, given the mix of ownership in this block, this did not provide full agreement to proceed with works in any mixed tenure blocks in the Howard Street area. Discussions are ongoing with regard to the possible acquisition of a number of privately owned properties that could allow works to progress in the future. This area will therefore see four of the six blocks within Council ownership receiving enhanced investment at this time, with the two sandstone blocks having works carried out at a later date as this will involve a separate specification of work. We remain open to further discussion should there be a change of direction or ownership in the mixed tenure blocks not currently proceeding with fabric improvement works. The window installation programme for Council properties in this area has commenced and at the time of writing, 18 tenants have received their new windows. 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 area on 11th August. Demolition Properties Significant progress has been made with acquisition of private properties for demolition, with 8 of 11 properties now acquired by the Council and a further 2 owners agreed to the voluntary sale of their property (subject to suitable alternative housing being identified). This leaves only one owner where agreement has not yet been reached. This owner is in active dialogue with officers at this time, however, should voluntary agreement not be reached and a Compulsory Purchase Order be considered necessary, authority will be sought in this regard from a future meeting of this board.
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A number of tenants remain with active rehousing priority across several blocks at this time, in line with the rehousing strategy for the area. A number of blocks will be progressed for demolition when they are within full Council ownership and have been fully vacated. 4.5.3 Waverley Road, Paisley Investment & Retention Properties The Waverley Road investment area is majority Council owned with only one block in mixed tenure, however, discussions are ongoing with a view to the Council acquiring the property so that we have full ownership of all blocks within the investment programme at this location. The Housing Investment team have been reviewing design options for the blocks being retained, including options for new balconies where applicable. Once the specification of works for this area is agreed and costed, tenants and residents will be invited to a neighbourhood renewal event where the programme of works will be discussed in more detail and partner organisations can take the opportunity to offer their services and find out what residents would like to see included as part of the enhanced environmental improvements surrounding their homes. The window installation programme for Council properties is progressing well, with 30 of the 47 Council tenants within the regeneration boundary having received their new windows to date. Landscaping proposals will be developed once we are in receipt of the information gathered from tenants and residents as part of the neighbourhood renewal process which will also look at the possible future use of the cleared sites on Waverley Road. Demolition Properties The Council have acquired 3 of the 4 privately owned properties within the demolition blocks on Waverley Road with the 4th private property agreed and with legal services to conclude. Demolition is progressing well with 8 of 12 blocks now demolished. A further 2 blocks were added to the original programme of works and this demolition is currently ongoing. Work continues to ensure further demolition can be progressed when the last remaining block comes into Council ownership.
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Officers continue to make regular visits to the area, reporting any identified incidents of fly tipping or other suspicious or anti-social behaviour in the area. This includes joint visits with Police and Fire Scotland representatives as necessary. 4.5.4 Ferguslie/Broomlands, Paisley Newbuild Housing Following a reduction in the Affordable Housing Supply Programme grant awarded for Renfrewshire and the relatively high tendered costs for the Carbrook Street development, this project was reprofiled within the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan for 2025 – 2030. Tender options for the development of the Carbrook Street site have been reviewed further and are included in the draft SHIP being presented to this meeting of the Board for approval. If approved, the revised newbuild proposal will see an increased number of units (20 units) being developed on the former Nursery site, creating a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bed modern affordable properties for the area. Demolition Properties It had originally been planned that a first phase of newbuild development at Carbrook Street would be delivered in advance of demolition within this area. The Ferguslie/Broomlands area includes the demolition of 5 blocks of flats. 12 of the 16 privately owned properties required to facilitate demolition have already been acquired by the Council, with 3 others agreed and with legal services to conclude. Discussions are ongoing with the other remaining owner to facilitate acquisition and future demolition of these blocks when the newbuilds have been completed and the properties are vacated in line with the rehousing strategy for the area. Investment & Retention Properties As previously advised, the Ferguslie/Broomlands investment area includes a very high proportion of privately owned properties (82) across 16 blocks. Only 3 blocks on the Ferguslie Walk side of the regeneration area are in full Council ownership. The remaining 13 blocks are of mixed tenure, this includes 6 blocks where the Council are a minority owner.
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The design team have commenced review of the external fabric of the deck access blocks on the Broomlands Street side of this regeneration area and will separately look at the blocks on Ferguslie Walk at a later date as they are of traditional sandstone construction and require additional consideration as to the proposed improvements that may be necessary to meet the required Energy Efficiency standards. Once the specification of works for this area is agreed and costed, tenants and residents will be invited to a neighbourhood renewal event where the programme of works will be discussed in more detail and partner organisations can make themselves available to offer their services and find out what residents would like to see included as part of the enhanced environmental improvements for the areas surrounding their homes and around the entrance of Ferguslie Gardens. 4.5.5 Howwood Road Area, Johnstone Investment & Retention Properties There are 45 blocks within the retention addresses within the Howwood Road investment area (122 Council properties and 74 privately owned). Investment proposals in mixed tenure blocks remain subject to owner consultation and agreement to participate in the scheme of improvements. The Housing Investment team have been reviewing design options for the blocks being retained in this area, including consideration of options for enclosing the balconies to make the homes more energy efficient. Once the specification of works for this area is agreed and costed, tenants and residents will be invited to a drop in event locally to discuss the proposed programme of works in more detail. The boundary for the Howwood Road area includes an additional 5 blocks that are not included within our investment proposals, as although they are within the regeneration and renewal boundary for the area, the Council has no ownership interest in these blocks as they are wholly privately owned. Private Sector Housing Grant from the Council is only available to owners within communal blocks where the Council also owns property within the block (mixed tenure). Owners within the solely privately owned blocks have been made aware that they are unable to access PSHG assistance and officers will work with these owners to signpost them to advice and assistance from partner agencies where they indicate they would like this assistance.
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Neighbourhood Renewal Event A further Neighbourhood Renewal meeting for this area is currently being arranged. The event will give tenants and residents an opportunity to meet the teams involved with the investment and newbuild work programmes, to see the developing plans for the area and to ask questions relating to their own individual circumstances. It also provided a further opportunity for tenants and residents to input their ideas and suggestions for the plans being developed for environmental improvements for garden areas and open space land, including the vacant former St. David’s primary school site within the wider Howwood Road area. Howwood Road Drop in surgery 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 and is being frequently attended by residents. The closed Facebook group has also grown to represent over 160 individuals across the area and is actively used by residents and Council officers. Newbuild Housing As previously reported, McTaggart Construction have been appointed to design and build 70 new homes on the site of the former Cochrane Castle school and land adjacent to the Highcraig Avenue shops. The development will provide a wide range of property types and sizes including a number of wheelchair-accessible homes with property sizes ranging from 1 to 5- bedrooms. These new homes are part of the first phase of newbuild planned for this area and will be built to meet the highest standards in energy efficiency, coming complete with air source heat pumps and solar panels. Rehousing of tenants displaced in this area will take place on a phased basis following completion of the first set of newbuild homes, with phased demolition and at least one further phase of newbuild thereafter. Officers will soon commence the housing application process for households within the first demolition phase to understand their housing needs and identify those who choose to remain within the Howwood Road area as part of the regeneration programme. A similar exercise will take place in due course for phase 2 demolition tenants and residents in line with the rehousing strategy for the area. Commercial Premises The local community had previously expressed concerns about the condition and appearance of the retail units on Highcraig Avenue. Two of the four retail units are privately owned with one currently remaining operational.
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The Assets and Estates team have approached the private owners of both units with a view to voluntarily acquiring these commercial units, however, negotiations have been unsuccessful to date, and it is likely voluntary acquisition of these units will not be possible in the short to medium term. Negotiations to voluntarily acquire these properties will continue in the meantime and any potential requirement for CPO will be presented to a future board for consideration. As part of the overall regeneration of this area and, ahead of Phase 2 of the newbuild programme, the Council have procured a market feasibility & overview report which assesses the suitability of demolishing the existing retail parade and replacing these with 1-2 new retail units. Officers are aware that a planning application is currently being considered for the former petrol station site on Beith Road and await the outcome of this application in consideration of the retail requirements that may be necessary for this area going forward. 4.5.6 Springbank/Mossvale, Paisley Demolition Properties The acquisition of properties approved for demolition in the Springbank/Mossvale area is progressing well with 27 of 36 properties now within Council ownership across the nine demolition blocks. Five of the nine blocks are within the first phase of development, with all but one of the owners in these blocks now acquired and the last remaining owner agreed on price, awaiting suitable rehousing. The rehousing programme for this area continues to operate successfully and in line with the phasing strategy set out for the area. One block has been demolished, and a small number of tenants and one owner await rehousing to allow the clearance of the remaining blocks classed as being within the first phase of demolition. Officers from the regeneration and development team are working collaboratively with the wardens and neighbourhood service teams and Police and Fire Scotland to highlight and address any concerns raised regarding vacant dwellings as they await demolition within this regeneration area.
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Newbuild Housing A feasiblity study has been instructed which will be followed with site investigations to assess the site ahead of a tender being issued for the first phase of new build construction in this area. Due to the larger size and scale of development proposed for the Springbank area, re-housing of tenants and private acquisitions have been phased to provide priority on a phased basis to clear blocks required for the first phase of newbuild development in advance of acquiring and rehousing from the blocks highlighted for the next phase. Investment & Retention Properties The Springbank/Mossvale investment area includes 31 Council properties and 66 privately owned properties across 6 mixed tenure blocks and one block where the Council have no ownership interest. Investment proposals are subject to owner consultation and agreement to participate and like the Howwood Road area, where we have a fully privately owned block, officers will work with these owners to signpost them to advice and assistance from partner agencies, where they indicate they would like this assistance. Once the specification of works for this area is agreed and costed, tenants and residents will be invited to a neighbourhood renewal event where the programme of works can be discussed in more detail and partner organisations can make themselves available to offer their services and find out what residents would like to see included as part of the enhanced environmental improvements for the common areas surrounding their homes. Drop in Surgery Officers have recently moved the weekly drop-in surgeries from the Beechwood Community Centre to the local Mossy Café and continue to be available for tenants and residents to answer any questions or queries they have regarding the regeneration programme for this area. 4.5.7 Thrushcraigs, Paisley Demolition Properties The Thrushcraigs area includes the demolition of all 16 blocks of flats within the regeneration boundary.
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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. A contract to demolish 3 wholly Council owned and vacant tenement blocks at this location commenced on 9th June 2025. 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. Members will be aware that a number of properties within the Thrushcraigs area continue to be utilised by Homeless Services as temporary accommodation. Given the high level of demand for this type and size of accommodation at this time, the rehousing strategy for this area continues to be updated to reflect the ongoing use of this facility. This position continues to be reviewed regularly by officers to ensure everyone is kept up to date of the rehousing, acquisition and demolition progress as to when these properties may require to be vacated for future site clearance to allow the newbuild development to take place. Newbuild Housing A feasibility study has now been instructed which will be followed with site investigations on completion of the demolition, to assess the site ahead of a tender being issued for new build construction. 4.5.8 Moorpark, Renfrew The Moorpark area has a high proportion of private owners with 144 private flats across 75 blocks. 175 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. To ensure the successful delivery of any proposed investment works, it will be essential to reach agreement with owners to deliver improvements in mixed tenure blocks. To assist with this, officers will soon begin to explore funding opportunities that will be available to owners from next year that could assist them to participate in the improvement scheme. It is worth noting that where owners have previously received funding for energy improvements, it cannot be claimed again for further improvement works to the same address.
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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. ______________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – The financial background to this investment programme was detailed in the report to Council on 17 December 2020 by the Chief Executive, Director of Communities and Housing and Director of Finance and Resources highlighting that it will be funded through financial sustainable borrowing on the HRA. A strategic review of the 30-year HRA business plan model confirmed there was sufficient headroom to support this investment programme. The review identified £100 million of additional investment capacity which can be relied upon for long term planning and investment purposes, and this is subject to ongoing review as part of the annual update of the HRA 30-year business plan. The acquisition of private homes to add to Council stock will be funded from the income received from the sale of last in the block properties, as previously approved by the Board. 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 will be required with respect to acquisitions, disposals, conveyancing, and title changes as necessary. 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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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, 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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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 and Development Manager (acting), Jennifer.murdoch@renfrewshire.gov.uk 07811 053038.