AN Inverclyde housing association is forging ahead with plans to build 750 new homes over the next five years as it lays the foundations for a new development.
River Clyde Homes has begun work in the Mallard area of Greenock on a £2.6 million 20-home development comprising of six two-bedroom homes and fourteen three-bedroom homes. The development has been designed by Chameleon Homes and is being built by Cruden Building.
Situated on the former site of five blocks of flats, the homes will all have front and back gardens and will be of red brick construction with cladding and pitched roofs. Access for all houses will be provided off a new road, which will link the existing Mallard Crescent road to Merlin Lane. Traffic calming measures will be introduced to ensure community safety.
Gary Wilson, executive director of property services at River Clyde Homes commented, “These are much needed modern, family homes. The area is popular with families, given its proximity to a range of community and sports facilities and good transport links.”
Work at the James Watt Dock in Greenock is due to start in spring as part of the housing association’s plans. The development, also being constructed by Cruden Building, will comprise of 136 new homes made up of one and two-bedroom flats over two phases. Eight of the homes are to be built in partnership with Blackwood Housing Association to accommodate people with a range of disabilities and housing needs.
96 homes are also to be built in the Slaemuir area of Port Glasgow. Phase one is already underway, with 28 homes due to be ready by autumn this year. Phase two of the Cruden-built development will see 68 new homes delivered in 2019.
Allan Callaghan, managing director of Cruden Building said, “We are delighted to continue our strong working relationship with River Clyde Homes as we begin work on this exciting new development in Greenock’s Mallard area.
“These high quality, modern family houses will provide full Silver Standard energy efficiency levels, which will give residents homes that are greener, warmer and cheaper to run.
“Throughout this project we will work closely with local suppliers to directly benefit the Inverclyde economy and provide young people with valuable work placement and training opportunities.”
A 41-home project, developed by Culross, at Bay Street, Port Glasgow is also nearing completion, with homes expected to be available to let in the spring.
Jillian Moffat, vice chair of the River Clyde Homes board added, “We are delighted to be part of the Scottish Government’s plans to address the shortage of affordable, high quality homes in Scotland. The news of these four new developments, with a value of £38 million in Inverclyde is just the beginning and we anticipate making further announcements of new developments later this year.
“The construction of new homes not only brings multi-million pound investment to Inverclyde, but will create much needed training and employment opportunities for the community.”
