This was Ms Alafat’s first visit to meet the staff and customers at Riverside’s Scottish subsidiary since being appointed as chair of the Riverside Group last year during the pandemic.

New Riverside Scotland chair Jim Strang was on hand to welcome Ms Alafat, along with Morag Hutchinson, interim managing director, and Heather Anderson, head of service delivery.

Ms Alafat was welcomed by staff and customers at the Pennyburn estate, Kilwinning where a £6.7 million investment in regeneration and energy efficiency works, as well as new build housing, has completely transformed the estate.

Next stop was Tarryholme, where Riverside Scotland’s newest development in Irvine provides 87 new-build affordable homes, with a second phase including a further 77 homes under construction.

The £13m second phase – which is supported by a £6m grant from the Scottish Government – is scheduled for completion in Autumn 2022, and will include a range of property types ensuring a diverse community of residents. In particular, a key focus is on providing homes for those with specific accessibility needs. As such, more than 60% of the properties will be designed to suit veterans, wheelchair users and those with additional mobility needs. 

Ms Alafat later visited Riverside Scotland’s modular development in Dundonald, South Ayrshire ahead of the first families moving in later this year. The £9.8m project is being delivered by Riverside Scotland and Connect Modular, part of The Wee House Group, and is expected to be fully completed by Autumn 2022.

The development will provide 63 affordable homes with 11% (7) being allocated specifically to veteran households.

Ms Alafat was given a tour of the site by Leanne Lynch, development manager and Jennifer Higgins, managing director of Connect Modular.

She said: “It’s been fantastic to meet with Jim, Morag and the local team and learn how they are supporting customers with new services such as tenancy sustainability, as well as adapting the business to the ever-changing environment and really focusing on the customers, as well as providing much needed new homes. Pennyburn is a great example of how a mix of regeneration and new homes can really transform a community aesthetically and improve the lives of those who live there.

“It has been wonderful to see first-hand the various new build projects on site. I was especially interested to see the modular homes as we are committed to sustainability and innovation with a real desire for greener developments at Riverside. This is our first modular project within the Group and it’s great to see Scotland flying the flag to make our housing more sustainable and energy-efficient.”

Jim Strang, chair of Riverside Scotland, added: “It’s been a privilege to welcome Terrie to Scotland and show her first-hand how the Group’s investment is really making a difference and benefiting our communities. With the resources and support available through Riverside Group we are delivering exceptional projects including housing for veterans and the largest affordable modular housing development in Scotland.”