Social care charity Quarriers is building 50 homes for private sale in a bid to raise cash to plug funding gaps caused by austerity measures
Social Care charity Quarriers is set to build 50 homes in a bid to raise cash to cover funding cuts.
The charity is working with developer Gladman and has lodged an application for planning permission for 50 residential homes on Carsemeadow, which is currently used for agricultural pasture.
If approved, the plans will include a mix of homes which will appeal to a range of buyers and will include 25% affordable housing.
A spokesperson for the charity told TFN the decision to develop Carsemeadow now was taken because “continued cuts to local authority budgets reduces the funding available for social care projects and consequently, charitable organisations such as Quarriers are required to use all there available assets to ensure local services are sustainable.”
Quarriers village near Kilmacolm in Inverclye was founded in 1876 by Glasgow shoe-maker and philanthropis William Quarrier as the Orphans Homes of Scotland.
Over the years, many of the homes and associated buildings have been converted into private housing but the Quarriers charity still has its headquarters there.
The area for proposed development lies close to the centre of Quarriers village and would connect the two parts of the village.
The charity says the plans are sympathetic to the local area and will use materials that draw on the unique character and patterns of the area, while also maintaining some green space.
Landscaping improvements will also be made as part of the development, including a new footpath and pedestrian crossing point to ensure safe access. The plans also include multiple communal electric charging points to encourage sustainable transport.
The application follows an extensive public consultation period, where local residents were invited to share their views both online and via public drop-in sessions, in order to help shape the proposed development.
Niall Macpherson, director of finance and corporate services at Quarriers, said: “Following an extensive consultation period we are pleased to submit an application for a residential development at Carsemeadow. Consultation with local residents and community has been invaluable and this has helped shape our proposed development.
“It is our ambition to re-invest all income from the sale in the charity, allowing us to continue to provide the much-needed practical care and support for thousands of vulnerable children, adults and families as well as fund important local projects.”
Quarriers is one of Scotland’s biggest social care charities employing around 1,700 staff, approximately 500 work in Inverclyde.
The charity provides practical care and support for thousands of vulnerable children, adults and families who face extremely challenging circumstances helping them to reach their full potential.
If approved by the local authority, it is estimated that work would commence on-site in the first quarter 2020, with the first homes to be completed later that year.
