A five-year business plan for the Shaping Aberdeen Housing LLP has been supported by councillors, paving the way for the delivery of up to 3,000 homes in the city.

In March 2016 an agreement was concluded between Aberdeen City Council and housing developer Places for People. The partnership deal led to the formation of a limited liability company, in the name of Shaping Aberdeen Housing LLP, a Scottish first, to help to deliver a step change in the supply of affordable housing in Aberdeen and address the shortage of housing in the city.

The partnership is designed to build, own and manage housing for rent targeted at a range of needs and including key workers and deliver a range of housing for sale including low cost home ownership.

Elected members of the full council have now voted in favour of approving the Shaping Aberdeen Housing LLP five-year business plan. A loan facility from the council of up to £18 million was also agreed to support the plan.

The partnership’s overarching initial objective is to develop 1,000 affordable homes and 1,000 private development homes, with the potential for a further 1,000 homes. The long-term aim is to continue to develop sites for affordable housing and private development.

During the meeting, the council chief executive was instructed to enter negotiations with the partnership to increase the number of affordable units by 103 to reach the 1,000 affordable homes promised.

The five-year plan approved states that by the end of 2022 Shaping Aberdeen Housing LLP will have completed 928 properties, with a substantial additional pipeline in place for ongoing development.

The immediate targets for 2017 are the start of work on new housing at Summerhill (369 units), East Woodcroft (56 units) and Craighall (91 units), as well as moving forward with proposals for sites at Kincorth and Greenferns.

In addition to approving the business plan and loan facility, councillors also noted the progress to date and agreed a number of recommendations in relation to the ongoing operation of the partnership.