The final tenants have now received the keys to their new homes in the flagship new development on the site of the former Council HQ in Kirkintilloch.
The homes were built as part of the Council's Affordable Housing Investment Programme (AHIP) and East Dunbartonshire Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP).
As well as transforming a former brownfield site which was once home to Tom Johnston House, the development is a major investment in much-needed affordable housing. A total of 82 new Council properties - including 8 amenity and 8 wheelchair accessible homes -now provide quality housing in a prime site in the heart of the community and with views across Woodhead Park. The development also includes five shared equity homes for sale.
Tenants began to move into the properties at the end of October 2021 and now all the social rented homes are fully occupied while the Shared Equity properties are in the process of being sold.
One such tenant was Catherine Cole, who moved into her swish newly-built property, which has views across Woodhead Park, during November 2021.
Mrs Cole, 69, said, “I’m really looking forward to being part of the community here. I’ve spoken to a couple of the neighbours already and they seemed very nice.
“What I am most delighted about is having a separate kitchen, which we didn’t have before. The landscaping outside the flat is really lovely and we’ve also got views across the park, so we’re not overlooked by other houses which is ideal.
“The entrance is a small vestibule with only four flats coming off it, not a big long corridor, so it feels more like sheltered housing, which I really like.”
The Housing Service is committed to meeting housing need by increasing the supply of affordable homes in East Dunbartonshire in partnership with Scottish Government and Housing Associations who also deliver affordable homes in the area.
The Council's Depute Chief Executive Ann Davie said, "The past two years have proved very challenging in terms of housing delivery. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a delay in housing development given that there was a national lockdown and construction sites were closed for several months, which resulted in delays in projects being progressed.
"However, despite this setback, the Housing Investment Team successfully delivered a number of new build homes during this period.
"It has been great to watch this new development appear over the last two years. Visually, it enhances the area and it also marks a significant step forward in addressing the continuing need for more affordable housing in the area."
The build was completed in partnership with hub West Scotland, with whom the Council has previously partnered on successful projects including Holy Trinity Primary School and the revamped Kirkintilloch Town Hall.
Designed by Mast Architects and G3 Consulting Engineers, the new development provides a mixture of one, two and three-bedroomed flats and houses. It has been constructed by CCG (Scotland).
Iain Marley, CEO of hub West Scotland, added, “We are very proud to have completed this important high-quality development in partnership with East Dunbartonshire Council. It has transformed a brownfield site and created a mix of attractive, spacious and well insulated new homes for the community.
“Despite the impact of the pandemic we are very pleased that our community investment programme has achieved two new starts, one new apprentice and the progression of five apprentices through the delivery of the project. We were also able to include two college student placements and had school and college engagement for curriculum support.
Our thanks go to the Council project team, CCG, and our other partners for their skill and commitment to deliver such a fine development under testing circumstances."