New Gorbals Housing Association welcomed Susan Aitken, the leader of Glasgow City Council, when she visited their brand new housing development to help handover keys to new tenants.

The 55-home project by New Gorbals Housing Association was funded by an £8 million grant from Glasgow City Council in partnership with the Scottish Government, and £2.5 million private funding from The Housing Finance Corporation. This development is the latest addition to the Laurieston Transformational Regeneration Area.

New Gorbals Housing Association commissioned Glasgow architects Page/Park to design the homes and worked in partnership with developer Urban Union to deliver this striking building, including a seven-storey tower that fully realises the potential of one of the most prominent sites in the Gorbals.

This development of affordable housing includes 46 homes for social rent, largely a mix of one and two bedroom flats, and a three bedroom flat on the ground floor that is adapted for a person using a wheelchair. There are also 9 properties in the development which will be sold under the new supply shared equity scheme.

Linda Malone, chairperson of New Gorbals Housing Association, said: “We were very happy to have Susan Aitken come and help us welcome our tenants into their new homes. The grant funding we received from Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government provided vital support to help us develop these new homes in Lauriston, which is a hugely popular and high demand area.

“These flats will provide new homes for households with various housing needs, including local residents and some of our current tenants. We are very pleased that all of our partners are committed to social housing continuing to play a major role in the regeneration of the Gorbals.”

Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The transformation of the wider Gorbals has been one of the real Glasgow success stories of the modern era and it continues to deliver. Communities that have had a real sense of abandonment for too long are now home to world-class design, and it’s a real credit to those behind the vision for the rebirth of the south banks of the Clyde that they have set the standards for housing in this city. Where they lead with pioneering social housing, the private sector follows.

“The successes of the Gorbals and Laurieston are also crucial to our vision for Glasgow, reconnecting this critical area with the heart of the city whilst also creating a thriving and flourishing community with a real sense of people and place. It is a real model for physical and social regeneration.

“I was delighted to handover the keys to Thomas Anderson, a Gorbals native and resident all his days, to his new home. I’ve had the tour and may very well take Thomas up on his invite to pop back round once he is settled. I hope you will be very happy in your new home, Thomas.”

Neil McKay, managing director of Urban Union, said: “We were delighted to help New Gorbals Housing Association to deliver this project, which is a fantastic new addition to the Laurieston Living Development.”

Councillor Aitken called into hand over keys to Mr Thomas Anderson, who took the opportunity to give the council leader a tour of his new home.

Thomas is thrilled with his new flat on the top floor of the building, and said: “When they asked me if I’d prefer a property lower down, or one at the top, I jumped at the chance to take this one. The views from my living room are brilliant; I don’t need a TV when I have all this to look at. I’ve lived in a few different houses in the area, but this move is the best yet. My family can’t wait to visit me here.”

Councillor Aitken was impressed the property, and had a final word for Thomas: “I was delighted to handover the keys to Thomas Anderson, a Gorbals native and resident all his days, to his new home. I’ve had the tour and may very well take Thomas up on his invite to pop back round once he is settled. I hope you will be very happy in your new home, Thomas.”