River Clyde Homes (RCH) has completed its latest development of new homes in Inverclyde.

The keys for last of these 16 new homes were handed over to customers by the minister for housing and welfare Margaret Burgess MSP on Tuesday 15 March, less than one year after works began.

The £2 million development, on Brightside Avenue in the Woodhall area of Port Glasgow, was built by CCG (Scotland) Ltd and designed by Barham Glen Architects. This third phase of new homes in Woodhall brings the total of new homes built by RCH in Inverclyde to 498 since 2010.

Housing minister Margaret Burgess said: “Since 2012, the Scottish Government has invested more than £26m to increase the supply of affordable housing in Inverclyde. I am delighted to welcome these tenants to their new homes.”

She added: “River Clyde Homes is making real and tangible changes that are benefiting Port Glasgow residents, providing much-needed homes for social rent in the area. What they have achieved has been as a result of their excellent working relationship with Inverclyde Council.”

Albert Henderson MBE, chair of the River Clyde Homes’ board, said: “I was delighted to welcome the housing minister to Inverclyde. The government’s support in these economically challenging times has been crucial in allowing this development to go ahead, as has the support of Inverclyde Council.”

He added: “The houses are energy efficient and are designed to reduce energy bills for tenants. They are bright, spacious and meet customers’ aspirations to live in modern homes. The homes have been designed to meet housing for varying needs and with the requirements of Police Scotland’s ‘Secure by Design’ scheme to minimise the potential for crime arising in the area.”

Marilyn Thompson, who moved into her new home recently, said: “I can’t begin to describe how happy I am with my new home, or the difference it has made to my life. I feel as though I’ve won the Lottery! I have a health condition that leaves me breathless and my previous top floor flat had 40 steps to the front door. I was becoming a bit of a recluse. My new home on the ground floor; is a great, manageable size for me and I expect my heating bills to tumble because it’s energy efficient. To top it all, I can sit out in the garden and enjoy a view up and down the River Clyde that would be the envy of most people.”

Calum Murray, director of CCG (Scotland) Ltd, added: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with River Clyde Homes and deliver the third phase of the Woodhall development in under a year. This particular development has been a testament to the benefits of offsite manufacturing enabling us to build high quality and environmentally efficient homes, quickly and with minimal waste.”