A new affordable housing development in Perth has officially opened.

The development, off Gannochy Road, has been built and funded by The Gannochy Trust, a Scottish registered charity founded in 1937 by former Scotch whisky entrepreneur and philanthropist Arthur Kinmond (A K) Bell.

Costing nearly £10 million and taking two years to build, the new development consists of 48 affordable homes that recreates the ethos of A K Bell’s original Gannochy Housing Estate built in Perth between 1923 and 1931, once described by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Neville Chamberlain, as ‘Unique in Character and certainly the best I have seen.’

The development is underpinned by three core design principles; 'Healthy Homes for Life', 'Lifetime Neighbourhoods' and 'High Quality Design' which aim to improve health, accessibility and connectiveness for tenants, with the flexibility to adapt to their needs as circumstances change. It expands on the Trust’s provision of affordable rented accommodation to a wide range of people, from small families to single people of all ages, including those who need additional support to live in their own home.

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David Gray, Chair of The Gannochy Trust said: "The Trust are proud to launch 48 new affordable homes in Perth that provide a healthy, communal environment for our tenants. The new development builds upon A K Bell’s forward-thinking vision to create healthy, affordable homes for the local community. For example, our ‘Healthy Homes for Life’ concept has been woven into the very fabric of the buildings, from the creation of an enhanced natural ventilation system to specific design and construction material choices that encourage good indoor air quality. We have also introduced special design features that tackle social isolation and improve mental health, such as high ceilings and generous windows that maximise natural light."

Deputy First Minster John Swinney MSP, who opened the development, said: "The Gannochy Trust housing expansion has added much needed high-quality affordable homes for the people of Perthshire. The project demonstrates how the support of the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre can link creative research from the Glasgow School of Art to tackle construction industry challenges in designing healthy homes for Scotland."