SCOTLAND’S housing minister Paul McLennan MSP has officially opened Grampian Housing Association’s new affordable homes development at Ferrylea in Forres.
The minister received a tour of the site and met with tenants, who are now settling into the houses and flats, built by Springfield Partnerships.
The total scheme cost of £8 million attracted over £4.5 million in grant funding from the Scottish Government, with the balance funded by the association.
Completed in three phases, the development comprises of one detached five-bedroom house, 22 semi-detached houses (two, three and four-bedroom), and 20 one-bedroom cottage flats.
Boasting ‘high levels’ of insulation and air source heating systems, the homes are designed to provide affordable heating for tenants and help the association meet its carbon reduction targets.
Housing minister Paul McLennan said, “I am delighted to have been invited by Grampian Housing Association to officially open these homes here in Forres and meet with some of the tenants. Supported by over £4.5 million of funding, from the Scottish Government’s affordable housing supply programme, the development provides a real mix of high quality, affordable homes, that will play a valuable role in the community.
“We are investing more than half a billion pounds in affordable homes across Scotland this year as we continue to support the delivery of housing.”
Craig Stirrat, chief executive of Grampian Housing Association, added, “We aim to not just build great homes but also aim to ensure that our current and future tenants enjoy desirable, high quality places to live where everyone has equal opportunity to thrive and grow. We are extremely delighted to have worked with Springfield Partnerships to deliver these impressive new affordable homes in the tenure neutral community of Ferrylea, Forres.
“The homes represent Grampian’s ongoing commitment to the communities of Moray with one third of its 3,900 strong social rented property portfolio located throughout the area.”
Tom Leggeat, Springfield Partnerships MD, part of Springfield Group, stated, “We are really pleased to have delivered these high quality, energy efficient houses in Forres with Grampian and to have had the opportunity to meet the people who will be calling them home. It is also reassuring to see the housing minister proactively engaging with housing partners, at such a critical time, and we are pleased to have been part of the conversation to help address the housing emergency.”
