The biggest council house development ever to be built in East Renfrewshire has been officially opened.
There are a total of 47 homes at the new site in Balgraystone Road, Barrhead.
These consist of 26 three and four-bedroom terraced houses, 12 two-bedroom flats and six wheelchair-adaptable flats, each with one or two bedrooms.
Work began in October 2020 and keys are now being handed over to more than 200 tenants.
The new homes were built in partnership with contractors CCG Scotland, supported by more than £3million in Scottish Government funding.
All of the properties have been constructed using materials that reduce heat loss, meaning lower carbon emissions and generating annual savings on energy bills.
Since East Renfrewshire Council’s new-build development programme got underway in 2018, more than 170 homes have been built or are in development, providing affordable housing for those who need it most.
Councillor Danny Devlin, East Renfrewshire's housing and maintenance convener, said: “It is fantastic to see these homes now complete here in Barrhead, in what has been the most challenging of times.
"These high-quality new builds are providing much-needed housing to tenants and families and I’d like to wish them well in their new homes.
“I’d like to thank everyone who played their part in the development and completion of this site. It is a fantastic achievement for us all.
“The technology used in these energy-efficient houses will reduce heating costs, making a big difference to our tenants.
"We are fully committed to improving our tenants’ homes and supporting owner-occupiers and other tenures to improve energy efficiency, which will ensure all residents in East Renfrewshire can live in warm, comfortable homes at affordable energy costs.”
David Wylie, managing director at CCG Scotland, added: “The completion of Balgraystone Road is a big milestone for CCG and East Renfrewshire Council.
"Not only does it form a major part of a housebuilding programme and strategic partnership that commenced over five years ago, the added layer of significance in the handover of the project undeniably stems in its delivery.
"By working together, we unwaveringly faced the challenges of the pandemic head on to ensure that we delivered for Barrhead and the result is this fantastic development of quality, energy-efficient homes and a legacy of support within the local community.”
Looking ahead to future projects, 14 council homes in the Maidenhill area, near Newton Mearns, are due for completion next spring, in partnership with Robertson Homes, and planning is underway for an additional six sites across East Renfrewshire, potentially providing a further 173 homes in the coming years.
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