Housing minister Margaret Burgess visited a new Loretto housing development to hear how the 26 energy-efficient homes have improved people’s lives.

The minister took time out from a busy tour arranged by Falkirk Council to catch up with some of the tenants at Bissett Court, Hallglen.

The modern homes, which have high levels of insulation and solar panels, are designed to cut tenants’ fuel bills.

Built on the site of a former farm steading – the houses range in size from one to five bedrooms. They include eight amenity flats designed to suit older people and four houses for large families.

The development enjoys open country views with easy access to the Union Canal and the nearby children’s play park.

Loretto tenant Lee Feeney, 36, moved into her three-storey, five-bedroom house in Bissett Court a few weeks ago with her three daughters, three sons and dog Violet.

Lee said: “I really love my new house. The space is amazing, considering that we’ve come from a three-bedroom house in West Lothian. We’ve moved to Falkirk because I’ve got family in this area

“The kids are very happy now they have their own rooms, especially since they are getting older. The extra bathrooms make things much easier too. There’s one on each floor.”

The £3.2m development was built with £1.6m grant support from the Scottish Government.

Housing minister Margaret Burgess said: “Housing is at the heart of this Government’s ambitions to make Scotland a fairer and more prosperous country. Not only are these new homes comfortable and spacious, but they are a great example of how affordable housing can also be designed to help tenants cut their fuel bills through insulation and energy efficiency.

“High quality, energy efficient homes form the cornerstone of socially and economically sustainable communities, and I’m pleased to have the opportunity to see first-hand how people like Lee and her family benefit from this type of investment.”

Loretto Housing chair Michael Burns, said: “At Loretto Housing we are keen to provide affordable homes for all different types of tenants – single people, older people, small and large families.

“This small development has tried to address this with a range of different house types and sizes.”

@LorettoHA