Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) has completed its first new build housing in Helensburgh.

The 12 new build properties are made up of 6 one and 6 two bedroom flats.

The development’s location is at Hood Court which has been renamed Duchess Court, a name suggested by local schoolgirl Hayley Ramsay from St Joseph’s Primary School. The name reflects the nearby Duchess Woods in Helensburgh and was selected from a number of school entries.

The site was a previous home to garages that had reached the end of their useful lives. The total development cost of £1.4 million was made up of contributions from the Scottish Government, Argyll and Bute Council and ACHA.

The development was officially opened at 12 noon yesterday by Councillor Aileen Morton of Argyll and Bute Council.

Alastair MacGregor, chief executive of ACHA, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to build our first affordable homes for rent in Helensburgh. They will go some small way to meeting housing need in the town. I would like to thank Argyll and Bute Council and the Scottish Government for their financial contribution to the project.”

He added: “I hope our tenants enjoy their new homes and have many happy years there.”

The construction work started in March 2014 and took just over one year to complete by Crudens Ltd.

The Association said it was grateful for the co-operation of residents during the construction work which was considerable and involved a new access road.