A varied supply of affordable housing is vital to ensure the successful development and regeneration of Glasgow and Clyde Valley, the Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell told housing and planning representatives today.

Speaking at a Housing Supply Task Force's Glasgow seminar Maxwell reinforced the importance the Scottish Government places on delivering suitable housing supply, of all types, in and around the city.

He also encouraged delegates to raise their housing concerns with the task force so it can work to tackle the issues hampering the provision of more homes to the Greater Glasgow area.

Key housing organisations in the area attended the event, including representatives from councils, housing associations, house builders and housing interest groups.

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He said: "This seminar aims to identify the concerns and issues, unique to the Glasgow and Clyde Valley areas that are hampering the supply of affordable housing across all tenures.

"We have set a national goal of increasing supply to 35,000 each year, by the middle of the next decade. This ambition is a major challenge, not just for the government but for local authorities, housing providers and the construction industry.

"The Task Force contains the main power brokers; representatives of organisations that I believe will help resolve the problems that get in the way of adequate housing delivery in Scotland."

The Task Force is charged with bringing about practical improvements in the delivery of housing of all types, by addressing blockages that are holding up development. In a bid to gather views in housing hotspots, HSTF seminars have taken place in Aviemore, concentrating on rural issues, and Edinburgh, looking at the Lothians. The next seminar will take place in Dumfries in March, before the task force presents a statement on its findings in spring.

(GK/JM)