Paisley based construction firm The JR Group has commenced site preparation and construction works on the former St Mark’s school site on the edge of Tollcross Park. Work is expected to be completed over a 16-month period and all the family homes should be ready for new residents by early March 2023.

The 44 new high-quality homes for social rent will provide a mix of eight cottage flats, 17 family homes, and 19 flats arranged across the two parts of the development. Private and communal gardens, parking and amenity space will also be delivered as part of the contract.

All homes have been designed to achieve Glasgow City Council’s Gold Hybrid standard of energy efficiency and this will ensure homes are warm, comfortable, and easy to heat.

As part of this project, The JR Group will provide a range of community benefits, including local employment and training opportunities, and the team is already working to assist local community organisations in the area.

Funding for the project has been secured through Glasgow City Council’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme and from the Association’s own loan finance via Royal Bank of Scotland.

Chair of Shettleston Housing Association, Lesley Scoffield, said: “We’re delighted to see this significant family development get underway. Shettleston needs more good quality family homes, and we are pleased to be able to deliver this highly energy efficient development in an ideal location next to Tollcross Park.”

Andrew Dallas, projects director for The JR Group, said: “We are delighted to start work on this development and working alongside Shettleston Housing Association to deliver a mix of much-needed family homes for the area whilst repurposing the former St Mark’s school site.

“We always make the commitment to invest in the communities we are working in, and this case is no different, through employment and training opportunities. We are also speaking to a number of community groups to consider how we might support them over the duration of construction.”