The works, which will run over the period from now until March 2020, involves roughcast, windows, facias, soffits, fences and downpipe refurbishment through new painterwork.

The contract is to the value of £150,000 and will cover four blocks which are 2 Colonsay Terrace, 9 Colonsay Terrace, 8 Scalpay Terrace and 19 Shuna Terrace. The works are being carried out by Argyll Homes for All, the Association’s subsidiary’s painting team.

Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s chief executive, said: “I am delighted this contract has now gone on site.  It adds to the multi-million-pound investment ACHA has already made in Soroba with respect to the internal modernisation of our homes. It complements ACHA’s Exemplar Estates initiative which will prioritise external improvements to the housing association’s housing stock over a five-year period.”

Local elected member and secretary of ACHA’s board, Councillor Roddy McCuish, added: “I am really pleased to see this external investment work going into properties in my ward which complements the new build activity that ACHA is currently just completing in its 107 new build project in Glenshellach. Decent, affordable housing is key to the future of Oban and this investment will help protect homes in my ward for the future.”

The Soroba estate was built in the early 1970s to meet huge housing demand in Oban.  It was one of Argyll’s largest council housing projects and the stock transferred to ACHA in 2006.  The Association owns 172 properties in Soroba.