Cloch Housing Association has been given the funding go ahead by the Scottish Government to build 48 new affordable homes in Greenock's Maukinhill Estate.

In December 2007, 217 Greenock homes transferred from Inverclyde Council to Cloch. This was after the tenants had given a 98% 'yes' vote to the transfer.

The total cost of the redevelopment of all phases of Maukinhill will be well in excess of £22m and Cloch is working with the Maukinhill Residents Group on the proposals. The first phase tenders have been returned at a total cost of just over £5.5m, of which £3.7m will be supported by the Scottish Government. The balance will be funded by Cloch.

-- Advertisement --

Quantity surveyor, Langmuir and Hay has examined the six tenders and recommended that McTaggart Construction be awarded the contract. Discussions are now taking place to agree as early a start date as possible.

Planning permission and building warrant are hoped to be obtained from Inverclyde Council in the next few weeks. It is then hoped that the work will start in July 2008 and be completed in August 2009. In the first phase of 48 houses, architect Coltart and Earley has come up with a housing mix of three and four apartment houses.

Cloch Director, Murray Richardson said: "The early commencement of the project has been greatly assisted by the way the Maukinhill Residents Group has worked with Cloch staff on the design proposals."

The overall development of Maukinhill estate will consist of five phases and all the existing residents will be provided with new homes.

Isobel Carson, Chairperson of Maukinhill Residents Group said "Over the coming year the residents of Maukinhill will see considerable change and get an idea of what will be provided for the whole estate."

(GK/JM)