News - 25/05/2010
Unlocking the future
River Clyde Homes (RCH), the Inverclyde-based housing association, is currently undertaking one of the biggest house building projects in the country with some 336 homes under construction currently.
The first of these houses was handed over on Friday 21 May to tenants, less than one year after the first sod was cut on-site.
The houses, on Gilmour Street in Greenock’s East End, have been built by CCG (Scotland) Ltd, one of three companies RCH is working with on its new build programme. River Clyde Homes took over the housing stock of Inverclyde Council, which last built homes in 1996.
The house designs and layouts were developed in conjunction with over 50 residents who formed the East End Regeneration Group. Their input was invaluable and RCH took account of the group’s favoured option of traditional housing design.
Wilson Dunlop is the vice-chair of the River Clyde Homes’ Board. Wilson will be handing over the keys to the first of the new tenants. He said: “This is perhaps the most significant day in River Clyde Homes’ short history. At just two-and-a-half years old we find ourselves in the enviable position of handing over the first of our new homes. This underlines our commitment to meet the promises we made to tenants at the time of stock transfer.”
Helen Fox is one of the first tenants to move in. She said: “I can’t believe it! The house is fantastic, bright and airy, and having spent my entire life living in tenements, I’m really looking forward to moving into a house with a back and front door. It’s like a dream come true!”
Lynne Carr is Chief Executive of River Clyde Homes. She added: “This is a landmark day for Inverclyde as we celebrate the first houses to be built by Scotland’s newest housing association. We are rightly proud of our achievements which are down to the teamwork of all those involved including our partners at the Scottish Government, the Council, and our consultants. I hope the tenants enjoy living in their new homes.”
Alastair Wylie, Managing Director of CCG said: “CCG is proud to be involved in the delivery of these high quality dwellings and assisting the positive transformation of the local area. It is a real testimony to the skills and dedication of River Clyde Homes’ staff, board and the project team that, only seven months after starting the construction works, residents are already moving in to their new homes.”
The houses are energy efficient and are designed to reduce energy bills for tenants. They are bright, spacious and meet tenants’ desires to live in homes with their own back and front doors. The homes have been designed to meet housing for varying needs and with the requirements of Strathclyde Police ‘Secure by Design’ scheme to minimise the potential for crime arising in the area.
