GWSF Tenements pdf April 2015

The Reasons for the Growing ProblemIn Paisley, five closes in OrchardStreet and Causeyside Street werepart of a wider strategy to undertakecomprehensive improvements to the poorquality tenement stock in and adjacentto Paisley Town Centre (part of which is aconservation area). A design team for theproject was appointed by Paisley SouthHousing Association in October 2007. Afeasibility study including Orchard Streetwas completed in 2008. The associationowns just one of the 54 flats involved.Awaiting improvement, flats in Orchard Street, PaisleyHowever, the Association withdrew fromthe project in October 2011 because theybelieved that the project was not feasibledue to significant changes in the fundingregime for Comprehensive TenementImprovement. In April 2013, discussionswere resumed with RenfrewshireCouncil, with the Council underwritingdevelopment costs because of thestrategic importance of Orchard Street.By November 2014, there was agreementabout the levels of funding that both theScottish Government and RenfrewshireCouncil would commit.In January 2015, the Associationconsidered the funding package and hascome to the conclusion that the schemeis too risky to take forward under theproposed financial arrangements. Theyare concerned that:• the subsidy level from the ScottishGovernment is based on new buildschemes and does not take accountof the complexity and ‘unknowns’involved in tenement improvement;• subsidy levels are reducing year onyear;• it is difficult to estimate the numberand cost of acquisitions; and• some owners would be unlikely toagree to participate.All parties still hope that a solutioncan be found which would allowthe Association to proceed. But, inthe meantime, the condition of theproperties continues to worsen.10