An Alloa couple are celebrating Christmas with their son in a new house specially designed and built to meet the family’s requirements after Kingdom Housing Association brought forward construction plans to meet their urgent need.

Earlier this year Kingdom, which mainly operates in Fife, began working in partnership with Clackmannanshire Council on their first joint project at Alloa Road, Tullibody, where 27 new affordable homes are being built.

The Tullibody project started on site in February 2015 and is due to be completed in February 2016. But while the project was on site Clackmannanshire Council identified a family who were in urgent need of specially designed housing and following an options review, the council invited Kingdom to build a house in Alloa, to meet the particular needs of the family who required the home to meet their son’s needs.

Working in partnership with the council, Kingdom purchased a derelict former garage lock-ups site in March 2015 and received funding in July which allowed the site start to commence. Subsidy was received from both the Scottish Government and Clackmannanshire Council, with the balance of the costs funded by Kingdom.

Bill Banks, chief executive with Kingdom, said: “The house has been constructed to a very high standard and meets the Silver Standard of Sustainability. The house has been designed to full wheelchair standards and complies with the Secured by Design accreditation criteria. The high specification includes a Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery system, to improve indoor air quality, create a healthier living environment and reduce energy costs for the residents. The project is an example of successful partnership working and I hope the family enjoy living in their new home.”

The new tenants, Alan and Agnes McAlpine worked with Julie Watson, Kingdom’s senior development services officer throughout the design and contract stages, to ensure the house met their particular needs. The contract was completed in early December and the family have moved into their new home in time to enjoy Christmas.

Mr McAlpine said: “Kingdom have done us proud. Our new home is amazing and our son will love it. It could not come at a better time. It’s a great Christmas present. We want to thank everyone from Kingdom and the council from the bottom of our hearts.”

Mrs McAlpine added: “We are looking forward to spending Christmas in our new family home. It will be lovely to enjoy that special time in our own special home.”

Clackmannanshire Council leader, Councillor Les Sharp, said: “The council is delighted that its partner, Kingdom Housing Association, has been able to provide a specifically designed property for one of our tenants. This has met their needs perfectly without the cost and compromise of converting their existing council house. The new family moving in to the house the McAlpine family has vacated will also be delighted with their new home.”

The new property was designed by local architects Bracewell Stirling and Campion Homes built the house for Kingdom. Campion provided additional works, as a community benefit, over and above the contract specification to meet additional needs identified.

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