£10m Government Boost for Scottish Construction

September 14 2011

The Scottish Government has given a boost to the country’s construction industry with the announcement of £10 million in loans which are to be made available for housing infrastructure projects. It is hoped that new homes developments in Scotland which are currently stalled due to difficulties with infrastructure issues such as blocked drainage, decontamination and flooding will now be able to go ahead.

Alex Neil

Scottish Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Alex Neil

Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil said the loans were aimed at “kick-starting a range of developments in  communities across Scotland.”

“Loans will be for companies to build the roads or lay the pipes and cables that mean housing developments can go ahead,” he added. “This will deliver a major boost to the Scottish economy worth far in advance of the initial £10 million investment and supporting many construction industry jobs.”

Recently, the chief executive of Highlands-based Albyn Housing Society’s Calum Macaulay talked of a “beleaguered construction industry”.

Mr Macaulay, whose company has bid for a project to build 50 homes for the rental or shared equity market, went on to say: “Taking into account any council house building programme, the likelihood is there are only going to be something like 250 to 350 properties built a year to add to the affordable housing sector [in the Highlands]. Given that 9,000 to 10,000 households are on the homelessness register in theHighlands, that is not going to make much of an impression.”

The Scottish new homes industry has already suffered a blow recently with a delay in the allocation of a £50 million Innovation and Investment fund from the Scottish Government.

by What New Homes team


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Posted by annemcdonald

Cruden Homes Breathe Life Into NHS Staffs’ House Hunt

September 14 2011

A special scheme set up by housebuilder Cruden Homes West, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Credit Union and Glasgow Credit Union is helping healthcare workers gain access to affordable new-build homes in Glasgow with little or no deposit required. The new scheme is known as Unique Property Solutions (UPS).

Paediatric nurse Hannah Buist is one of the first nurses due to switch to the under-construction South Glasgow Hospital and she has already moved in to her new apartment at Govan Gateway with her partner.

Govan Gateway from Cruden Homes

Govan Gateway is one of four Cruden Homes developments in the area covered by the new Unique Property Solutions (UPS) affordability package

“Despite having very little deposit, we were able to secure a 90% mortgage with Glasgow Credit Union and the balance from NHS Credit Union,” said a delighted Hannah.

Ian Reid, director of human resources for Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS says: “A number of staff will relocate in the next couple of years when the new South Glasgow Hospital completes. We work hard to support staff if their work base changes and this unique new service is a superb opportunity for them to obtain funding to make their house move a reality.”

Liz Mallon, sales and marketing manager for Cruden Homes, says: “We’re extremely proud of the success of the UPS initiative which was specifically designed to assist first-time buyers at this particularly tough time in the housing market. Cruden Homes has had tremendous support from its partners, as well as the backing of the Scottish Government, all of which has enabled us to deliver the positive results we have seen over the last year.”

by WhatNewHomes team

Leave a Comment » | affordable homes, cruden homes, first time buyers, glasgow | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by annemcdonald

Work Commences on Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village

June 22 2011

Construction work is now underway at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village, which will be home to 6,500 athletes and officials for the duration of the Games in Summer 2014.  The development is being built by the City Legacy Consortium, which includes Mactaggart & Mickel, CCG, Cruden and WH Malcolm, and will be transformed into a new community after the Games.

Situated in the Dalmarnock area, three miles from city centre, the £150 million development site will eventually occupy 38.5 hectares of land in Glasgow’s East End.  Once the Commonwealth Games participants have moved out, work will begin on the first phase of the new residential community, which will cater for a number of housing requirements and will include 304 private houses, 300 homes for rent, 100 homes for mid-market rent and a 120-bed care home for the elderly.  When the first phase is complete and the temporary athletes’ facilities are removed, work will begin on a further batch of accommodation, with around 1,400 new homes being built in total.

Commonwealth Games Athletes Village

The £150-million Commonwealth Games Athletes' Village development from the City Legacy Consortium will eventually become a residential community with 1,400 new homes

Speaking of the development, councillor Archie Graham, executive member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, said: “This is an historic project that will not only deliver a fantastic new neighbourhood for Glasgow, but provide a home for athletes competing in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. This development will leave one of the most visible examples of both the legacy from the Games and Glasgowís regeneration, with the plans showing homes that will provide a memorable environment for athletes in 2014 and an attractive location for all those living in the development thereafter.”

The project aims to be environmentally friendly and according to the developers, just 60% of the carbon emissions created on a similar sized scheme will be released while building these new homes in Glasgow.  As well as new housing, the development will bring employment opportunities to the city.

Ed Monaghan of City Legacy said: “The City Legacy Consortium is investing £150 million to transform the area into a much-sought-after riverside residential location which showcases the Athletes’ Village as the best in contemporary and sustainable design. We are proud to be part of building a lasting legacy for the East End of Glasgow and bringing job opportunities into the area.”

by Maria Brett

Leave a Comment » | affordable homes, glasgow, mactaggart and mickel | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by mariabrett

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