Grant alignment, land valuation and scheme assumptions for Westwood Hill development: FOI release

Information requested

I request the following information in relation to the Westwood Hill site in East Kilbride.

1. The date on which the Scottish Government was first informed that Westwood Hill was under active consideration for affordable housing development by SLC.

2. All correspondence (including emails, letters, internal notes, briefings and meeting records) between Scottish Government and South Lanarkshire Council between 2017 - 2026 referencing:

• Westwood Hill
• Land valuation of the site
• Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) grant support
• Financial year grant alignment, allocation or absorption.

3. Where records refer to approximately £1.5 million in grant alignment:

a) Whether this figure represented financial modelling, an indicative allocation, a provisional commitment, or formal programme approval.

b) The assumed number of housing units and tenure mix underpinning that figure.

c) The total development cost assumed at that time.

d) What the grant was specifically intended to fund (e.g. land acquisition, infrastructure, build costs, subsidy per unit).

e) Whether a land valuation assumption of approximately £3 million was factored into that modelling.

4. Any internal Scottish Government viability assessments, funding profiles, cost models, or appraisal documents relating to Westwood Hill prepared prior to public notification of the site to residents.

5. Any records discussing:

• The timing of public notification or consultation in relation to grant discussions;
• Financial year constraints influencing grant alignment;
• Any conditions attached to potential grant support.

6. Any documentation clarifying the intended tenure of the proposed development at the time grant modelling was undertaken, including whether the scheme was assumed to be wholly social rent or a mixed-tenure development.

7. How much of this land is for social housing and how much will be sold as private dwellings?

If any information is withheld, please specify the exception relied upon and provide the associated public interest reasoning.

I request the information in electronic format.

Response

1. Date on which the Scottish Government was first informed that Westwood Hill was under active consideration by SLC

The Scottish Government was first informed of the proposal for Westwood Hill East Kilbride during a routine programme meeting between South Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Government More Homes officials in March 2025.

FOISA guidance applied: Information is provided in full. No exemptions apply.

2. Correspondence between Scottish Government and SLC (2017–2026)
You requested correspondence referring to:

• Westwood Hill
• Land valuation
• AHSP grant support
• Financial year alignment

Programme meetings are led and minuted by South Lanarkshire Council. The proposed project was not discussed prior to March 2025, and no such correspondence or records exist for the period 2017 March 2025.

Section 17(1) Notice – Information Not Held

In terms of Section 17(1) of FOISA, I must advise that the Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested for the period 2017–March 2025.
We do not hold minutes, correspondence, or records referencing Westwood Hill prior to that date.

FOISA duties applied:

• Section 17(1): Scottish Government does not hold the information.
• Section 15: We have signposted South Lanarkshire Council as the organisation that may hold the records.

3. Records referring to approximately £1.5 million in grant alignment

a) Whether the figure represented modelling, indicative allocation, provisional commitment, or formal approval
The £1.4m grant award was issued specifically to assist with the acquisition of the land, based on discussions and a valuation provided by South Lanarkshire Council.

FOISA guidance applied: Information disclosed in full.

b) Assumed number of units and tenure mix
The Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) identifies 99 homes earmarked for the site.
The land acquisition award was aligned to this indicative figure.
No tenure mix assumptions were provided to the Scottish Government at this stage.

FOISA guidance applied: Information disclosed in full.

c) Total development cost assumed at the time
The Scottish Government does not hold information relating to total development costs.
This information will not be available until South Lanarkshire Council completes and submits a full tender report and application for consideration.

Section 17(1) Notice – Information Not Held

In terms of Section 17(1) of FOISA, the Scottish Government does not hold the information requested.

d) What the grant was intended to fund
The grant awarded was issued specifically to assist with land acquisition.

FOISA guidance applied: Information disclosed in full.

e) Whether a land valuation assumption of approximately £3 million was factored in The Scottish Government contribution was solely for land acquisition.
We do not hold modelling documents relating to a £3 million valuation assumption beyond valuation discussions.

FOISA guidance applied: Information disclosed in full.

4. Internal Scottish Government viability assessments, funding profiles, cost models, or appraisal documents
The Scottish Government does not hold viability assessments or cost modelling documents for Westwood Hill beyond the standard appraisal associated with acquisition funding.

Section 17(1) Notice – Information Not Held

Under Section 17(1) of FOISA, I must advise that the Scottish Government does not hold additional viability assessments or appraisal documents. If you wish the acquisition appraisal to be considered for disclosure, please confirm, and we will assess it under FOISA.

5. Records discussing:
a) Timing of public notification/consultation in relation to grant discussions
Public notice and community consultations are the responsibility of South Lanarkshire Council, who have the strategic lead.
The Scottish Government does not hold information on consultation events or timing of such events.

• Section 17(1) Notice – Information Not Held
  In terms of Section 17(1) of FOISA, the Scottish Government does not hold this information.
• Section 15 (Duty to Advise and Assist)
  We advise that you may wish to contact South Lanarkshire Council officials:
  Sharon.egan@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
  jonathan.read@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
  rosie.hart@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

b) Financial year constraints influencing grant alignment
The Scottish Government does not hold information relating to financial year constraints for this project.

Section 17(1) Notice – Information Not Held.

c) Conditions attached to potential grant support
Grant support is subject to standard Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) conditions as mentioned in our grant offers.
These include:
11. Default and Recovery of Grant
Scottish Ministers may reassess, vary, deduct, withhold, or require repayment if:

• a default occurs;
• the project purpose changes;
• the project is not carried out or progress is unsatisfactory;
• the project’s viability is in jeopardy;
• or the grant risks bringing Ministers’ reputation into disrepute.

FOISA guidance applied: Information disclosed in full.

6. Documentation clarifying intended tenure at the time of modelling
As the project remains at an early discussion stage, South Lanarkshire Council has not yet provided tenure details to Scottish Government.

Section 17(1) Notice – Information Not Held

Under Section 17(1), we do not hold information on tenure assumptions.

7. Amount of land intended for social housing vs private dwellings
The Scottish Government has provided funding for land acquisition for affordable housing proposed for the site. Scottish Government does not hold information on any land intended for private housing development.

Section 17(1) Notice – Information Not Held

The Scottish Government does not hold information relating to land allocated for private dwellings.

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