SENIOR councillors will next week be asked to approve funding of almost £1m towards the ongoing revival of a Galashiels housing estate.

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has been working closely with Waverley Housing to progress the regeneration of former public sector housing in and around the Beech Avenue area in Upper Langlee.

This is a regeneration project with estimated costs of over £30m.

When members of the council’s decision-making executive committee meet on Tuesday (December 5), they will be recommended to approve an allocation of £961k in financial commitment to ensure the go-ahead of the first phase of the development with the building of 25 new homes.

The proposed council funding allocation comes at a time of ever-rising housing construction costs.

Recent tender returns for some proposed affordable housing developments in the Borders have been £100-£150k per unit more expensive than would have been generally anticipated or have seen a 50 per cent to 75 per cent increase in anticipated costs.

Demolition works on the Upper Langlee site were were completed in December 2022, clearing the way for the anticipated the new build programme to commence early next year.

A report to the committee, approved by John Curry, SBC’s director of infrastructure and environment, says: “There has been a desire to regenerate and transform this part of Upper Langlee for some years, and this is a strategic housing priority for both Waverley Housing and the council, as set out in the Local Housing Strategy and Strategic Housing Investment Plan.

“This report proposes that SBC grant assist Waverley Housing with £961k to enable Phase 1 of the new build development at Upper Langlee to progress.

“It is estimated that once completed, these 25 homes will generate around £25k per annum in annual council tax income. This figure is based on the 2023/2024 council tax rates and assumes the homes will be mainly B and C.

“Furthermore the construction phase should positively contribute to reducing income inequality for people in the Borders through the creation of numerous direct construction jobs, apprenticeships and indirect jobs within the construction supply chain.”