Tenants of New Gorbals Housing Association were delighted to welcome Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister and MSP for Glasgow's South Side, into their new homes.

Local MSP Ms Sturgeon met with tenants Joyce Dougan and Adnan Alkhalil, who had just received their keys to their new homes in the latest new build housing development by New Gorbals Housing Association.

Joyce Dougan has lived in the Riverside area of Gorbals for over 50 years and is now downsizing from what was her family home since 1977. Joyce said: "I think this will be a really good move for me, and my son also thinks it's great. I really could ask for any more, the flat is amazing. People in the area have been so welcoming and I feel that I've settled in already."

Adnan Alkhalil, who works as a translator, is excited to move into the property with his wife Hazar and their two young children.

"My wife and I were relieved just to find secure accommodation after our private let fell through. To be offered such a wonderful flat to make into our family home is fantastic."

This 28 home social housing development is part of the overall transformation of a former multi-storey site, which now includes a new health centre, a housing office and a public square. It is an exciting project from a whole host of perspectives, not just the stunning design and amenity of the flats themselves, but their position in the very heart of the Gorbals adjacent to a multitude of amenities including shops and a library, and with the city centre nearby. Two architecture practices were involved in the design of these flats. Elder and Cannon were commissioned for the corner building on Cumberland Street and Crown Street and Page\Park for the flats and office block that continue along Crown Street.

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The development includes a mix of one and two bedroom flats, two of which are adaptable for people using wheelchairs with the 4 and 6 storey blocks create a striking focal point on the corner of Crown Street and Cumberland Street.

CCG has been on site since February 2018 and will undertake phased handovers until the early summer period.

Nicola Sturgeon, MSP for Glasgow Southside, said: "It was great to meet some of the tenants and take a look around the latest new build social housing development by New Gorbals Housing Association. These new residents will be moving into high quality, affordable accommodation in one of the best and most accessible locations in the city."

Linda Malone, Chairperson of New Gorbals Housing Association, said: "We were delighted to have Nicola Sturgeon here to visit tenants in their new homes. These flats have provided homes for households with various housing needs, including existing local residents, people who have come through Council homeless referrals, and our own tenants who are moving from much needed larger homes in the area. This is an enormously important build for us which alongside our new office building is one of the final stages of development for Crown Street. The grant funding we received from Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government provided vital support to help us develop these properties, which are part of a larger development including our new office building and the New Gorbals Health and Care Centre."

CCG Chairman and CEO, Alastair Wylie said: "It has been a pleasure for CCG to return to New Gorbals for the delivery of this new development. These new homes are high-quality and will help improve housing supply in this area of the city.

"I am also delighted to state that as a result of the project, CCG has been able to invest in jobs, training and the local community including the creation of six new jobs; two apprenticeships; twelve work placements and a £2000 donation to the local community for a cause of their own choosing. This wouldn't have been possible without New Gorbals Housing Association and we thank them for their continued support throughout the construction programme."

Pictured: CCG Project Manager Barry Gall with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Joyce Dougan.