CONSTRUCTION work is to start on a £5.5 million affordable homes development at a derelict site in Glasgow’s Govanhill.
A ceremony to mark the beginning of work at the 42-home Govanhill Housing Association’s scheme was attended by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who also happens to be the Glasgow Southside MSP, along with other elected representatives for the area.
Annie Macfarlane, the Association’s Vice Chairperson said, “This development, which is part of our overall regeneration strategy for Govanhill, will provide much-needed social housing for people in the community. It involves significant investment in a key site, which has been vacant for a considerable time.
“Other initiatives to regenerate the area and provide affordable homes include the pilot South-West Govanhill Property Acquisition and Repair Programme, which met its two-year target to buy around 80 properties after just one year.
“The aim of that programme, which complements our work on new developments, is to buy, repair, let and then manage flats in four tenement blocks that include some of Govanhill’s poorest quality housing.”
The Victoria/Butterbiggins development involves a seven-storey corner building that descends into shorter blocks. It will include two and three bedroom family flats, as well as a number of larger family homes and amenity flats for elderly people, with wheelchair access for some.
The project, which is supported by £3.25 million grant funding from Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government, is expected to be completed by January 2018.
Nicola Sturgeon, who cut the first turf at the site, added, “I’m delighted to see this new development in Govanhill, providing much-needed housing in an area of high demand. I look forward to coming back to see the development when it is completed.”
Allan Callaghan, managing director of construction company Cruden Buildings and Renewals Limited added, “We are delighted to work with Govanhill Housing Association to deliver this landmark housing development at Govanhill’s vibrant Victoria Road.
“We are building high-quality, spacious and modern flats and houses which will meet Silver Standard energy efficiency levels – providing residents with homes that have much cheaper energy bills and fewer carbon emissions. Importantly, as with all of our developments, we will be working with local suppliers to directly benefit the local community.”