Living in our Town Centres

Wednesday, 02 March 2022 10:34

The regeneration of town centres continues to be a priority for our Council, with the Council Plan 2017-22 committing to invest £1million a year in the Town Centre Living Fund (TCLF). Members of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economy and Resources Committee (17 March) will be asked to agree to allocate:

  • £1million from Council Tax on second homes income to deliver the 2022/23 Town Centre Living Fund.
  • £500k from the 2022/23 Town Centre Living Fund to support housing developments that will contribute to the regeneration of town centres
  • £300k from the 2022/23 Town Centre Living Fund to provide grant assistance to owners of empty properties in town centres and settlements across the region to help bring them back into use as affordable housing, subject to the detailed criteria
  • £200k from the 2022/23 Town Centre Living Fund to provide grant assistance to tackle Below Tolerable Standard properties across the region, subject to the detailed criteria
  • £xxx from the 2021/22 Town Centre Projects budget to support the delivery of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan project at Station Road, Dalbeattie.

    Our Council considers the health and vibrancy of town centres to be of major importance to promote our local economy and revitalise our high street. Increasing high-quality accommodation is a key driver to create footfall and support the regeneration of town centres. It also helps to lower carbon emissions by providing homes within easy access of services and employment, reducing the need for travel and car ownership. Finding a sustainable use for empty properties and derelict sites helps retain and maintain the area’s built heritage while reducing the impact of development. A number of projects to deliver locally identified community housing and regeneration aspirations have also been supported via this route.

    An overarching principle of our Local Development Plan is that all development proposals should support sustainable development, including reduction of carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions. The following actions when identifying sites for development are encouraged:

  • where possible, avoid the use of prime quality agricultural land.
  • consider reusing brownfield, vacant and derelict land and buildings instead of greenfield land.
  • maximise the use of existing infrastructure including public transport.
  • consider opportunities to develop mixed communities.

Archie Dryburgh, Vice Chair of Economy and Resources Committee said: “The TCLF primarily contributes to the Council priorities to ‘Build the local economy’, ‘Urgently respond to climate change and transition to a carbon neutral region’ and ‘Be an inclusive Council. Enabling development of high quality and affordable housing in these locations increases the number of people living in our town centres while also supporting the Council’s Climate Emergency Declaration Strategic Plan. We must encourage people back to living in our town centres to help with not only economic regeneration, but also the regeneration and improvement of our built spaces.”