Irvine Housing Association and Home Scotland are pleased to announce the official opening of their new affordable housing development at Newbridge, Dumfries.

Councillor David McKie, officially opened the development by unveiling a bench on 15 August 2008.

Irvine Housing Association Chairman, Tommy Farrell JP and John Rogerson, Vice-Chair of the Home Scotland Board, assisted.  Following the official ceremony Paul Hillard, Chief Executive of Irvine Housing Association and Margarita Morrison, Managing Director of Home Scotland, cut a celebratory cake, which was shared among the new residents to mark the start of the fun day festivities.

The development’s play park played host to a bouncy castle, face painter and SFA Community Coaches and their inflatable pitch for the afternoon.  The younger residents of the new development were given the opportunity to enter a colouring competition with three Queen of The South FC season tickets up for grabs. 

The event was attended by Irvine Housing Association and Home Scotland’s Board Members and staff, together with officials from various organisations including the Scottish Government’s Housing and Regeneration Directive, Dumfries & Galloway Council, R&D Construction Group, Armour Construction Consultants and the new residents of the Newbridge development.

Work began on the greenfield site in September 2006. The aim of the joint development was to bring much needed high quality affordable accommodation to the heart of Dumfries. The housing associations delivered this by building 63 houses that reflect the current style and trend seen in many new build properties today. Irvine Housing Association own and manage 34 of the properties, while the remaining 29 are owned and managed by Home Scotland. The development consists of a mix of two, three and four-bedroom properties, including three amenity properties and two wheelchair accessible bungalows. The properties themselves offer spacious accommodation that is light and airy. 

Councillor McKie met some of the new residents within the development and visited Leanne Patterson and Claire Morrison in their new homes.

Leanne Patterson, an Irvine Housing Association tenant said: “I am really pleased with my new home.  It’s great to have a brand new property and nice to have space as previously I was living with my Mum.  It’s also really handy for my work.  I couldn’t ask for more.”

 

Claire Morrison, who lives in one of the Home Scotland bungalows, said: “I am delighted with my new home, which is very comfortable and meets all my needs. It is also in a really nice area and even after a short period of time there is already a real sense of community here.”

Councillor McKie said: “It is good to see Housing Associations working together to provide quality homes such as these we are visiting today.  The first joint venture was in Shortridge Court and that has proved very successful. I believe that at last we are providing homes which are fit for purpose and are more easily adapted if required for people with special needs.  I believe this is an issue we have up until recently not paid sufficient attention to. I am particularly impressed with the quality of workmanship clearly visible in this development.

I would congratulate Home Scotland and Irvine Housing Association on this development and look forward to them working together in the future for the benefit of the people of Dumfries & Galloway.”

Tommy Farrell said: “Forging strong partnerships to deliver innovative housing projects is central to our approach. The Association is delighted with these new properties and the positive response that has been received from new tenants.  From seeing the project in its first stages to viewing the final development, I am amazed at the quality of the houses.  This is a first-class development and a credit to all those involved in this joint venture with Home Scotland.”

Margarita Morrison said: “We have a history of working in partnership with Irvine Housing Association to deliver affordable homes in neighbourhoods where people want to live and this excellent development at Newbridge is a perfect example of what can be achieved through this approach.”

The new development cost approximately £6.45 million and was completed within programme. The houses have also been designed to the Secure By Design standard.  R&D Construction Group were the appointed design and build contractors for the project.