THE first phase of a major affordable housing development in Inverclyde has been completed.
A total of 198 properties are being built at the former Ravenscraig Hospital site in Greenock, now known as Bunston Grove.
The development — jointly funded by the Scottish Government and housing organisation Link Group — has also been shortlisted in the Homes for Scotland Awards 2023, in the Development of the Year – Large Category and the Scottish Home Awards 2023 Housing Regeneration Project of the Year and Large Affordable Housing Development of the Year.
The first phase provides 149 homes for social rent. There is a mixture of houses, cottage flats and bungalows. Seventeen have been designed to wheelchair accessible standards.
Seventy-eight properties will be available for social rent managed by Larkfield Housing Association, on Link’s behalf, whilst Oak Tree Housing Association will acquire 71 homes, also for social rent.
Link Group commercial director Colin Culross said: “I am delighted that Bunston Grove is receiving national industry-wide attention for its modern design and emphasis on placemaking.
“It will provide much needed affordable homes for people in Greenock and the surrounding area, transforming lives and enhancing a sense of community in the process.
“We are delighted that Bunston Grove has been shortlisted for so many awards and testament to all those who have worked on the project, making it a success.”
Sukhdeep Hopper, Oak Tree Housing Association director of property, said: “We had an unprecedented demand for these properties with the majority being highly sought after by families seeking larger accommodation.
“As a result, we were able to quickly allocate all properties as soon as the keys were made available to us. We are pleased that nine of these homes are wheelchair accessible which will improve the quality of living for our tenants as well as their family members.
“All tenants are very happy with their new homes and have settled in well.”
The end of phase two is scheduled for July, with an additional 49 social rented homes, which will be let through Larkfield Housing Association for Link Group.
Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said: “The development at Bunston Grove has transformed a large, vacant and very prominent site in Greenock and created not just a magnificent housing development but a thriving community.”
