Kingdom Housing Association, working in partnership with Fife Council, the local community and the project team, have developed major regeneration proposals for the redevelopment the mid-20th Century housing estate at Fraser Avenue, Inverkeithing.

The first phase of the £7.9 million project is now on site and the first 53 new homes are due for completion in 2018. The Scottish Government awarded Kingdom £4.2m in subsidy to assist with the project.

It includes a number of energy efficient innovations in the design including: breathable wall construction, solar photovoltaics and sun pipes. Returning tenants have been offered choices of fixtures and fittings and layout options where possible and a quarter of the new homes have been designed to meet the particular needs of older people or people with mobility problems.

The houses are also designed to Silver Sustainability Standard and are Secured by Design.

The Saltire Society judges described the Fraser Avenue development as: “An exemplary approach to redeveloping one of Britain’s most deprived housing estates. The clients and architects should be commended for thorough levels of community engagement which are informing the design of up to 200 replacement homes. There is a strong ambition to create an integrated and cohesive new place whilst holding on to a strong community spirit. Breathable and low carbon construction methods which are innovative in this sector are being developed.”

The project partners were present at the event in Edinburgh to hear the results announced, where Kingdom was represented by Scott Kirkpatrick, development director, and Julie Watson, development manager.

Julie said: “We are proud to be involved in the Fraser Avenue regeneration project and this award is testament to the successful collaborative working which has taken place with everyone involved.”

Scott added: “Kingdom recognises the importance of innovation within the affordable housing sector and we have taken the opportunity at Fraser Avenue, to work in full collaboration with all partners and the local community, this will provide real advantages. The partnership approach will also deliver a range of community benefits, including training and employment opportunities’.’

Judy Hamilton, convener of Fife Council’s Community & Housing Services Committee, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that the development at Fraser Avenue has received a commendation at this year’s Saltire Housing Design Awards.

“This is testament to all the hard work and dedication put into the Inverkeithing regeneration project not just by the architects and staff from the council and Kingdom Housing Association but also by members of the local community who have been fully engaged in the process.”

The project team for the project includes Campion Homes, 7N Architects, Scott Bennett Associates, Langmuir and Hay and Rankin Fraser Landscape Architects.

Dougie Herd, construction director with Campion Homes, explained: “By adopting the ‘fabric first’ principle the new homes will be built using a breathable building fabric which will keep tenants homes warmer for longer in the cold weather and cooler in hot weather. Recognition from the Saltire Society for this innovative project is truly deserved.”

7N Architects, Edinburgh, who submitted the project for the awards, commented:“We are delighted that the project has been recognised by the Saltire Society. Kingdom Housing Association and Fife Council deserve huge credit for working closely with the existing community through a collaborative approach to the regeneration of the estate. It is to be hoped that the emerging transformation currently being delivered by Campion Homes can act as a tangible model for the delivery of new and replacement affordable housing across Scotland.”

Bill Banks, Group chief executive with Kingdom, said: “The redevelopment proposals for the area and the design of the high quality and energy efficient new homes have been developed in full consultation with the tenants and the local community and everyone involved with the project should be congratulated. I am very pleased the project has been recognised by the Saltire Society.”