Caledonia Housing Association completes £4m residential project in Perth
Caledonia Housing Association has completed a £4 million development project in Perth; regenerating the Newhouse Road area with 72 fully refurbished properties, the demolition of 30 flats and the creation of 13 new homes for affordable rent in the city.
The final phase at Newhouse Road in the north-west of Perth has seen the construction of two townhouses, two semi-detached townhouses and nine terraced homes in the middle of Newhouse Road. The highly energy efficient homes, built on the site of the 30 demolished flats, provide much needed family homes for affordable rent in Perth all designed for family living with private parking and both front and rear gardens.
The first phase of the £4m regeneration began in 2016 and saw the Association set an ambitious 100-week schedule to complete the refurbishment of 72 homes with new kitchens, bathrooms, windows, heating and doors.
Julie Cosgrove, chief executive of Caledonia Housing Association, said: “We knew from the beginning that this was an ambitious regeneration project and we could not be happier with the final results.
“Our team has done a great job of working closely with existing tenants to meet their housing needs at Newhouse Road or a suitable alternative. The support and patience from the community has been incredible throughout the entire project and I am sure they are just as impressed with the transformation as we are.”
Janine and Darren Forsyth are Newhouse Road tenants that moved into a refurbished 3 bedroom flat in 2018. With further additions to the family, the Forsyth’s were classed as overcrowded but wanted to remain in the Newhouse Road community. Working with Perth & Kinross Council, Caledonia has been able to offer the Forsyth’s one of the final phase townhouses.
Seeing their home for the first time, Mrs Forsyth said: “This home is truly life changing for our family. We have been living in a three-bedroom flat during lockdown with our daughter and three sons, one of whom has additional needs. Being able to have this extra space and our own garden will be life changing, especially for our son.
“The difference in Newhouse Road since the regeneration has been great. Our refurbished flat was lovely but a tight squeeze for a family of six. We are just so pleased to have been able to be rehoused to a larger home, suitable for our needs and to be able to stay in the community.”
Work on the new homes in this final phase was designed by ECD Architects and overseen by Campion Homes. The development is part of Caledonia Housing Association’s commitment to create new homes that meet housing demands.
Alan Nairn, chair of Caledonia’s management board, said: “Regenerating homes and communities is an important objective for us as a housing association. We aim to modernise and maintain our existing housing stock and provide high quality, energy efficient affordable housing for our tenants. Seeing the difference in Newhouse Road today and hearing the difference the regeneration has made to both the community and our tenants is testament to the fantastic vision and teamwork from all those involved at Caledonia.”