SCOTLAND’S first minister Nicola Sturgeon has opened a new development of 49 affordable homes in a multi-million pound boost for Govan, Glasgow.
The £10.2 million Cromdale Square project by Linthouse Housing Association has been created on the site of the former Drumoyne Primary School with the support of Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government and by the association securing loan finance from Unity Trust Bank to make the grant funding go further.
Ms Sturgeon – MSP for Glasgow Southside – unveiled a commemorative plaque and praised the development of homes. She also visited some of the properties and met tenants who had now moved in.
Nicola Sturgeon said, “It’s a pleasure to cut the ribbon on Linthouse Housing Association’s latest development. Developments like this one are a vital part of the Scottish Government’s housing strategy, providing high quality social housing. This is particularly true when they can bring derelict and disused buildings back into positive use for local people. Govan has always held a special place in my heart and I’m delighted to see this latest addition to a great area.”
The site had lain semi-derelict since the school, built in the 1930s, was closed in 2010. In a nod to its past, the familiar façade of the former school has been retained and incorporated into the development.
Irene C McFarlane, chief executive of Linthouse Housing Association, added, “The transformation of this site into attractive new homes has lifted our tenants’ and the local community’s spirits. We readily acknowledge the financial support of Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government who share our vision of creating new affordable homes for the people we serve in our community.”
Alec Leishman, chair of Linthouse’s management committee, commented, “This is a landmark day for Linthouse and the wider community. We have created homes in the heart of our community at a time when they have never been more needed and what a stylish development it is! It looks great and provides fabulous new homes for so many people.”
The 49 properties comprise a mix of two and three-bedroom homes and apartments with four being wheelchair accessible. The former school janitor’s property has been re-purposed into a large family home – again helping to preserve the link with the site’s previous use.
The development was built by CCG (Scotland) Ltd. CCG MD David Wylie said, “Govan is an area well known for its rich heritage and is one in which CCG know very well. We have worked within the community for a number of years across a wide range of projects and we are delighted to have played our part at Cromdale Square where we have helped conserve a popular community asset whilst delivering much-needed affordable homes.”
The homes have been designed by Grant Murray Architects. The engineers were Clyde Design Partnership and quantity surveyor Thomson Cost Consultants.
