News

Families are enjoying settling into their new homes at Glassgreen Village in Elgin, following the completion of a major development by Grampian Housing Association in collaboration with Springfield Partnerships.

Glassgreen Village addresses the growing demand for larger social rent family homes in Moray. The 28 properties offer a mix of three, four and five bedroom houses along with two bedroom bungalows and one bedroom cottage style flats. There is also high demand for supported, inclusive and accessible housing. A number of the new homes are being leased to Moray Council as supported accommodation to enable people with learning difficulties to live independently.

Many of the tenants who have moved into the properties previously lived in overcrowded conditions and have praised the positive impact their new homes have had on family life.

This event marked two significant milestones for Grampian Housing Association: the delivery of its 4,000th new build property and its 50th anniversary. Over the past five decades, the Association has grown from 31 homes to managing over 4,000 properties for rent and shared ownership, making it the largest locally based housing association in the North East of Scotland.

To celebrate this achievement, the properties were officially opened by Richard Lochhead MSP for Moray.

The £8.668 million development was made possible through £5.934 million funding from the Scottish Government. It was delivered with Springfield Partnerships, part of the Springfield Group, continuing a strong and successful collaboration with one of Scotland’s leading home builders.

The development is part of Moray Council’s Strategic Infrastructure Plan (SIP) agreed with the Scottish Government contributing to its affordable housing targets.

MSP for Moray, Richard Lochhead said: “This is a special landmark for Grampian Housing Association marking the build of its 4000th new home.

“The delivery of new homes that meet the needs of the local population here in Moray is a priority for me as MSP and also the Scottish Government who have invested almost £6m in this development.

“Access to these new properties will undoubtedly improve the lives of the tenants that now call them home.”

Jim Cargill, Chair of Grampian Housing Association said; ‘Over the past 50 years we have worked hard to lead the sector in the development of significant affordable, tenure neutral homes in Moray and the North East of Scotland. There is still work to be done, but today’s 4,000th new build property marks a significant moment for us.

“Opportunities to build large affordable homes are rare and being able to make this provision for people in housing need is an ambition realised. Over one third of the Association’s stock is now located in Moray.

“The economic landscape in the North East is one of extremes. While there is prosperity and a buoyant housing market, in sharp contrast there is significant concern about infrastructure restraints on the economy, a major one being the lack of affordable housing for the projected 35% increase in households over the next 20 years.”

Tom Leggeat, Springfield Partnerships Managing Director, said; “We’re pleased to have once again worked with Grampian Housing Association to deliver high quality affordable homes for people who need them in Elgin.

“It’s great to hear the positive impact the homes we’ve built have had for residents, and we’re proud that this development marks Grampian’s 4,000th affordable home. A commitment to housing of this scale deserves to be celebrated and we’re delighted to mark this achievement with them.”

Moray Council said: “We congratulate Grampian Housing Association on its milestones achieved through completion of this development.  Grampian Housing Association is a highly valued partner, having made, and continue to make a major contribution to increasing the supply of much needed affordable housing. 

“This development will make a major contribution to housing local people in need.  The provision of housing for larger families as well as supported housing for people with learning disabilities is particularly welcomed”.

Looking to the future Grampian Housing Association is an important part of the regional mix to encourage economic development and support a healthy economy. The Scottish Government recognises that the supply of new affordable housing needs to be a high priority.  The Association is keen to support this by working with the public and voluntary sectors to bring forward affordable land for development, as well private house builders and developers to source opportunities and seek funding to develop more social housing in the North East.