Councillor Frank McAveety, leader of Glasgow City Council, joined tenants of a stylish new affordable housing development on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal as they celebrate the start of Queens Cross Housing Association’s 40th anniversary year.

A total of 108 homes have been built by the Association at Timber Basin, a historic site next to a nature reserve.

The new development sees 73 homes for social housing rent and 35 flats currently marketed for shared equity.

Queens Cross Housing Association chief executive, Shona Stephen, welcomed the major investment in the area: “Timber Basin represents a large investment of high-quality, affordable homes in North West Glasgow.

“With a mix of flats and houses, including specially adapted properties, it has transformed a previously derelict site bringing a new lease of life to the area as well as to individual tenants and their families.

“We’re delighted that Glasgow City Council supported us by approving Scottish Government grants of £6.5 million.

“It’s a great start to our 40th anniversary year.”

The Timber Basin development brings the number of new homes provided by the Association for rent or shared equity since 2011 to 490. Work is also underway on two further developments: 68 one and two bedroom new build flats on Leny Street and 8 new build flats in an infill gap site at 830 Garscube Road.

Councillor Frank McAveety said: “This is a fantastic development, offering a number of different types of new homes to a wide range of people, and helping the continued regeneration of the canal.

“We are currently supporting the building of thousands of new homes in the city, and are delighted to have worked with Queens Cross Housing Association on this project. I hope that the new tenants enjoy living in Timber Basin.”

Mr and Mrs O’Brien, who have been Association tenants for 34 years, moved in to their home in Timber Basin last October.

Mrs O’Brien said: “We love the peace and quiet here. I have multiple sclerosis so I need to be able to rest especially as I’m working. The stairs to our old flat were a problem for me as well as my husband who had to carry everything up and down four flights.

“We now have a two-bedroom ground floor flat with lots of space that can be adapted if I need it in the future. Our granddaughters love coming here.”

Another tenant, Mrs Ramsey, also appreciates her new home.

She said: “I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which affects my joints. Due to my poor mobility the new flat gives me full access.

“We were living in a one-bedroom multi-storey flat and my husband had been sleeping on the couch for two years.

“Moving here has lifted my mood. I can open a door, sit outside and watch the swans. I can see a future now where before I could only see an illness. It’s perfect.”

The Association’s contractor, CCG Scotland, started to construct 98 flats and 10 houses on the site of the old Shaw & McInnes ironworks, overlooking the Forth and Clyde Canal basin, in January 2014.

Calum Murray, director of CCG, is pleased with the Timber Basin project and said: “This has been a really exciting project with which to kick off Queens Cross Housing Association’s 40th anniversary year.

“Panmure Street utilises the very latest off-site construction technology to enhance housing standards including a revolutionary, factory-finished brick exterior to replicate a traditional brick facade.

“This construction approach significantly reduces build time and delivers enhanced environmental efficiency standards to each home.”

Linked to the Association’s project, Scottish Canals are carrying out improvements to the Forth and Clyde Canal below the development.