An energy-efficient housing development has opened in Barrhead.

Hugh Henry MSP officially opened the development at Murray Place in Barrhead and presented bouquets of flowers to residents, then took a tour.

The complex, designed for older people, is part of the Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association.

The 16 two-bedroom dwellings are a mixture of flats, houses and cottages.

The high standard of energy efficiency was achieved by installing roof-mounted solar collectors, positioning the properties to reflect the sun's path, gas-fired condesing boilers and a vapour permeable timber frame external wall construction incorporating insulation made from recycled newspapers.

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The construction project, which ran from March 2010 to January 2011, cost £1.975m in total.

Hugh Henry said: "I'm delighted to officially open Murray Place, which provides 16 high quality, energy-efficient properties to the people of Barrhead. This is a stunning development and I know local residents just love living there. I'd like to congratulate East Renfrewshire Council, Hanover and the Government in completing the latest in a long line of successful joint working projects and I look forward to Murray Place becoming a valued part of the community."

Bunty Fowler, Chairperson of Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association, said: "We are regularly made aware through the media of the ever-increasing number of elderly folk living to a very ripe old age. It therefore seems fitting that we are here for this ceremony today to open the 16 amenity houses which have been designed to a very high standard for their tenants. The design is compliant with the 'Housing for Varying needs' standards and has gained a Secured by Design Accreditation. We are also proud of the Energy Efficiency features."

(NE)