Hawthorn Housing Co-operative and McTaggart Construction have officially broken ground on their project to build 48 new homes in Possilpark.

The development was part funded by Glasgow City Council.

The former mixed industrial and residential site will provide the location for the first new homes that Hawthorn have built in 13 years. The houses have been designed following the principles of Housing for Varying Needs, with all units meeting the HfVN requirements for houses and flats.

Additionally, four homes are designed to meet the requirements for wheelchair standard. Two of these properties have been designed specifically for tenants needs. The development will provide affordable homes for up to 190 people.

Hawthorn Housing Co-operative is a fully mutual housing co-operative that owns and manages 316 homes, and is managed by a voluntary management committee made up of 15 residents.

Helen Graham, chair of the management committee, said: “Today is an exciting landmark for Hawthorn Housing and the Possilpark community. The construction process alone will generate new training and employment opportunities for our tenants.”

Councillor Gary Gray attended the ceremony and added: “I am absolutely delighted to see investment on this site, which has been vacant land since the mid 1980’s. It’s great to see Hawthorn having the opportunity to provide affordable housing for its residents, as a resident myself on a personal level it’s so encouraging because when people see investment in the community that spurs’ residents on to get involved in the life of the area. Also, McTaggart Construction have a great track record for their standard of workmanship so I look forward to seeing the end result.”

McTaggart Construction, along with its design team of Anderson Bell + Christie and Scott Bennett Associates, were appointed following a competitive tender exercise which took community benefit into account.

“Our Sustainable Communities Programme aims to bring tangible benefits to the communities we help build and we have developed a specific action plan, in partnership with Hawthorn Housing Co-operative, to deliver such benefits at Ashfield Street,” said Janice Russell, director of McTaggart Construction.