LINK Group’s new affordable housing development at Tannahill Crescent, Johnstone, has been officially opened by Renfrewshire Council’s Convener of Housing and Community Safety Policy Board, Councillor Tommy Williams.
The £3.7million construction of 33 homes for social rent commenced in September 2012.
The site was bought from Renfrewshire Council and developed with £1.4m funding provided by the Scottish Government’s Innovation and Investment Fund.
The properties consist of two, three and four-bedroom homes, including one three-bedroom bungalow designed to meet the needs of a family with a wheelchair user.
The proposed housing mix is consistent with Renfrewshire Council’s Local Housing Strategy and Local Housing Needs Analysis. Designed by Bracewell Stirling Architects and built by McTaggarts, the properties meet Link design standards for affordable housing.
This is the first Link development designed to comply with the Silver level sustainable development requirements of the 2011 Scottish Building Standards. The houses have been designed with heating and ventilation systems to maximise fuel efficiency, reduce heat loss and be easier and cheaper to heat.
This was also the first development where Link adopted the CITB-Construction Skills’ Client-Based Approach. By doing this, Link became the first Scottish Registered Social Landlord to qualify as a National Skills Academy for Construction.
The Client-Based Approach (CBA) ensures that Link’s construction tenders include commitments to deliver employment and skills relevant to the project being procured, as well as bringing added benefits to the local communities in which works are located.
The Tannahill development piloted the CBA with four work placements (16 + years), an apprentice and a graduate all taken on by McTaggart Construction.
Two existing apprentices were also able to continue with their training on site, while six further opportunities on the development were advertised locally to maximise opportunities in the community.
Craig Sanderson, Link Group chief executive, said: “This is an excellent example of effective joint working involving Renfrewshire Council, the Scottish Government, McTaggart and Link and demonstrates our Corporate Social Responsibility.”
Councillor Tommy Williams, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Housing and Community Safety Policy Board, said: “There is a growing demand for affordable housing and this particular development is delivering on a number of important priorities.
“There has been an encouraging emphasis to date on delivering sustainable development and also local training and employment opportunities.
“Now that the development has been completed it is offering opportunities for quality homes in the social rented sector. That is great news for tenants and for everyone involved in addressing housing need in Renfrewshire.”
Ends
(Photograph attached of Tannahill Crescent development)
For further information, please contact Alison Spence on 0131 624 7805 or aran@linkhaltd.co.uk
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Link Group. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Alison Spence
Email: aran@linkhaltd.co.uk
Website: http://www.linkhousing.org.uk
