South Lanarkshire Council’s newest sheltered housing complex has been singled out for praise by the Scottish Government’s minister for housing and welfare.

Delivering the keynote speech at the CIH Scotland annual conference, MSP Margaret Burgess said that she was encouraged to see that the total housing supply has been growing in Scotland over the last year, and paid tribute to “the hard work, dedication and commitment” of Scotland’s housing professionals in achieving this.

She added: “This is what’s important: it is turning housing projects into homes. And it’s also important to support the people who live in them and who may have a variety of needs.

“A project that stands out in my mind is Clydeford View sheltered housing development, in Cambuslang, which has a vibrant and friendly atmosphere and is making a tangible difference to people’s quality of life.

“It is a great example of housing helping to prevent the need for more intensive public services and contributing to the integration of health and social care locally.”

Funded with the help of the Scottish Government, the purpose-built sheltered housing complex at Clydeford View opened last year.

Along with a major conversion project at Eastcroft Gardens, in Rutherglen, which opened around the same time as Clydeford View, the two new complexes created 41 additional homes to help address a real need for sheltered housing in that area.

The council’s chair of housing and technical resources, Councillor Alex McInnes, said: “Mrs Burgess conducted the opening of Clydeford View and we are delighted that the impression the complex made on her during her visit has stayed with her in such a positive way.

“Clydeford View and Eastcroft Gardens were designed not only to give tenants the best possible quality of housing and facilities, but also to form new and vibrant communities, both among the residents themselves and involving people from the surrounding area.

“This has proved to be a success and the comments from the Minister should serve as reassurance and encouragement to all who worked on the project that they have contributed to a great quality of life for residents.”