Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership (DGHP) chairman, Robert Higgins, visited the latest housing development at Palmerston View this week.

He was joined by other DGHP representatives, funders and contractors, the development was unveiled as the tenants started to move in to the Dumfries development.

The 16 homes, completed ahead of schedule, were built for DGHP by contractors Ashleigh Scotland and designed by Robert Potters & Partners, McGowan Miller and Asher Associates.

The £2.24 million development was part funded by Scottish Government grants of £1.196m and almost £229,000 from Dumfries and Galloway Council.

The properties are made up of two 2-bedroom semi-detached houses; 2 three-bedroom semi-detached houses and 12 one-bedroom cottage flats.

Robert Higgins, chairman of DGHP, said: “This outstanding development features great new homes for social rent and they are an excellent example of how DGHP is providing good quality homes for tenants for the future.

“All of the properties are completed to a high standard, with four of them being silver and gold level, addressing the need for new energy efficient and affordable homes of the future.

“I spent some time with new tenants today and it was excellent hearing how happy they are with the standard of build and the development itself.”

The silver standard properties include water butts, home office desk spaces and mechanical heat ventilation recovery systems. The gold standard also have, in addition, solar thermal panels for hot water, mobility charging points, intruder alarms, enhanced natural lighting, bicycle storage and triple glazed windows. All properties have solar photo-voltaic panels for electricity.

One tenant who recently moved in, Violet, said: “I love the new house. It’s a really nice quiet area and it’s just perfect.”

The development was also awarded the prestigious Secured by Design Gold Standard for security measured incorporated into the design and build of the homes.

The contractor Ashleigh said: “This has been the first project Ashleigh Scotland Ltd have delivered for DGHP, and we are delighted with the end product.

“This could not have been done without the dedication and commitment of our project manager John McKie, along with the full support of the local design team and the DGHP staff.

“This project was handed over 11 weeks early and it shows a shining example of teamwork making it happen.”

Chair of the Dumfries and Galloway Council’s communities committee, Andy Ferguson, said: “I am pleased to see this development at Lochfield Road come to fruition.

“The development of new, affordable housing is a commitment in our council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan. These homes are also built to the highest energy efficiency standards, which will ensure tenants do not fall into fuel poverty. These homes have been built in partnership with a local construction company, helping to support local employment in the area as well as boost the local economy.

“I am in no doubt that we need more affordable housing throughout Dumfries and Galloway and I am pleased that this partnership has delivered just that. I look forward to even more affordable, quality homes becoming available throughout the region.”