Kingdom Housing Association has marked the beginning of its first affordable housing project in Clackmannanshire with the presentation of a cheque for £1,000 to the Delph Pond Forum which is improving the natural environment in Tullibody.

Fife-based Kingdom work with local groups and deliver community benefits as part of all their development projects and are supporting the Delph Pond Forum as part of its Tullibody project. The donation will help the Forum maintain the local pond area and contribute to the environmental objectives and events organised by the Forum.

Bill Banks, chief executive with Kingdom, said: “Partnership working and community benefits feature highly as part of our development strategy and the Alloa Road project is an

example where added value that can be delivered as part of an affordable housing project.”

Bill added: “We are very pleased to be able to support the Delph Pond Forum who are doing excellent work to support the local environment. The Alloa Road project will also allow us to work with the local school to raise awareness of construction and environmental issues. Training placement and employment opportunities will also be created as part of the housing contract.”

The Delph Pond is very popular with local residents and is located near Kingdom’s housing project on open space between Delph Road and Alloa Road. Its features include the local pond and wildlife habitat, a children’s park, multi-use games area, a youth shelter and picnic area.

The Forum is a local partnership between local residents, the Community Council, Tullibody History Group, Clackmannanshire Council and Police Scotland. Various events are arranged during the year which are usually themed around environmental, biodiversity and fun activities.

Janette McGowan, chair of the Delph Pond Forum said: “The Forum enjoys great support from local groups and the community in looking after and promoting the environment of our local Delph Pond and Delph Woods. The local primary schools also get involved holding outdoor classrooms in the area and we are trying to extend this option for other groups, hence our most recent project of improving the footpath in the woodland area to make the woods more accessible for everyone.”

She added: “It has been quite challenging for the wildlife and local residents whilst all the new house building work is going on but we are hopeful that the pond area will have the shrubbery and trees bordering the area replanted soon and restore the natural habitats. We depend on grants and donations to help us to improve the Delph Pond environs and are very grateful to Kingdom Housing Association for their generous donation which will allow us to continue our work in promoting the and caring for the local bio-diversity.”

The 27 new homes being provided by Kingdom will meet a range of housing needs in the area and have been designed to achieve Building Regulations Silver Standard of Sustainability and Secured by Design Standards. The specification includes Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery Systems which will improve energy costs, improve indoor air quality and create a healthier living environment. Energy monitoring meters are also being installed to raise awareness of energy use.

Twenty-seven new homes will be built for social rent at a cost of nearly £3 million on the site at Alloa Road as a successful outcome of Kingdom working in partnership with

Clackmannanshire Council.

The Scottish Government is providing £1.7m towards the overall costs of £2.9m.

The project has been designed by Bracewell Stirling Architects and is being built for Kingdom by Campion Homes. Completion of the 27 homes is scheduled for February next year.

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