Archived News 2009
22 December 2009
Argyll Community Housing Association, ACHA, entered a new era for housing services in Oban, Lorn and the Isles with the official opening of its new offices at Glenshellach Business Park in Oban.
The official opening was carried out by Jim Mather MSP for Argyll and Bute. He had launched the site by cutting the first turf in June.
The new offices have been named Menzies House in recognition of the considerable service provided by John Menzies to housing in the Oban area for many years when he was Housing Manager. Mr Menzies, who is a tenant of ACHA, was able to attend the ceremony, along with three generations of his family.
Commenting at the official opening Jim Mather MSP said “This is a real milestone for ACHA and a really tangible declaration of intent that is being delivered day and daily by this Association. This new HQ will be a physical reminder of the important role that ACHA plays and the impact they have on local lives and wellbeing. Not least the construction trade that has completed this new building with great speed and quality.”
Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s Chief Executive, further added “I am absolutely delighted that the Association now has its own facilities to provide services in the future. We also have the added bonus that, at a time of economic recession, this development invested £637,000 in the local economy and sustained over 20 jobs and gave training opportunities for three apprentices”.
The new offices will provide facilities for rent payment, housing applications and allocations, repairs reporting, tenancy enquiries and interview and meeting facilities for tenants and residents groups. In addition, the delivery of ACHA’s Investment Programme in the area will be coordinated from the new office.
It is further hoped that the new ACHA office, along with the neighbouring development being taken forward by Argyll College, will give a kickstart to further office development in the Glenshellach Business Park.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter advice for ACHA Tenants
Help avoid burst pipes and prevent damage to your home and your belongings by doing these simple things.
* Try to keep your home reasonably warm day and night – consider leaving your central heating on low and using your timer – even if you are going away for a few days – in particularly cold weather, leave your loft hatch open to allow heat into the loft space.
* Never leave a tap dripping.
* Check that the stopcock works so that you can turn off the water if there is a burst, it is usually in the kitchen or bathroom. If you can’t find it or it is leaking or you can’t turn it off, contact our repairs number 0800 028 2755 for assistance / advise.
For greater peace of mind, if you go away for more than a few days in winter we will turn the water off and drain your system down. Telephone 0800 028 2755 to arrange.
If an emergency does occur, please remember that ACHA does not insure your furniture, belongings or decoration against flood, theft, fire, vandalism and other household risks.
Reminder - For reporting a repair / emergency during the Christmas period, please phone the freephone number 0800 028 2755.
ACHA offers Tenants and Right to Buy owners home contents insurance. Please click on the link below for further information.
ACHA Home Contents Insurance
The Repairs Control Centre is now re-open after the festive breaks.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 November 2009
ACHA wants to create an interesting display for the reception area of its new Oban office and would like your help. ACHA would like to showcase old photos of ACHA houses in Oban, Lorn and the Isles.
If you have any old photographs or negatives you'd be willing to let ACHA have copied for display please get in touch. ACHA owns former Council houses in the area, some of which were built for different reasons including forestry workers and hydro-electric schemes.
Andy Birnie, chair of ACHA’s Oban, Lorn and the Isles Committee says, “We want to have an interesting display and show some of the history of social housing as it was across the whole area. There were over 2,000 Council houses in Oban, Lorn and on the islands so we are sure many people have photos of the houses in the past and maybe even being built.”
The new office is near completion at Glenshellach and ACHA staff will be based there from 21 December 2009.
If you have old photographs of ACHA houses you can contact Amanda Mackenzie on 01631 567964 or email Amanda.MacKenzie@acha.co.uk to discuss sharing them. Full credit will be given.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACHA Publishes Second Annual Report
22 October 2009
Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) has published its second Annual Report. The report covers the period from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009.
The report presents the views of ACHA’s chair and Chief Executive along with financial details, performance reviews and examples of the differences ACHA has been making for tenants and communities across Argyll and Bute.
As well as providing, maintaining and improving over 5000 homes across Argyll and Bute ACHA was involved in a range of projects including youth outreach work, publishing a personal finance handbook, supporting employability schemes, various environmental improvements and the distribution of grants to community groups. Figures are given for the improvements to ACHA houses undertaken over the year, these include 1584 new bathrooms and kitchens and 656 sets of windows and doors.
Christine Johnston, ACHA’s Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services commented, “ACHA’s Annual Report 2009 shows the progress we have made across many service areas whilst dealing with a range of challenges. We will continue to improve our services and homes and I look forward to reporting on further successes in the years to come.”
Copies of the annual report have been posted to all ACHA members.
You can download a PDF of the report from our Annual Reports page.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9th October, 2009
ACHA, Argyll Community Housing Association, has commissioned a banner welcoming, in Gaelic, all visitors to Oban for the Royal National Mod. The welcome sign is situated for a week in Dalrigh Gardens, which are owned by ACHA, opposite the main Mod venue of the Corran Halls. The Association has also extended an invitation to all Mod choirs and participants to use the gardens for pictures and mementos of their time in Oban.
ACHA Board Member and Secretary, Councillor Roddy McCuish, commented “This is a generous and welcoming contribution from ACHA to our visitors to the town. Dalrigh Gardens are at the entrance to Oban and the message will make people feel welcome right away.” He further added “ACHA and the Council’s gardening team have worked really closely together to make the environment first class for the Mod.”
Local Gaelic speakers, Captain Norman MacLeod and Calum Smith, did the necessary translation for the banner.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alastair MacGregor Presents the “Mull in Bloom” Trophy to Mrs Judith Donaldson in her Garden
5th October 2009
Mrs Judith Donaldson, 4 Ardmor Road, Salen, Mull was the first ever winner of ACHA’s “Mull in Bloom” competition. The competition, which is open to all ACHA tenants on the island, will take place on an annual basis with the purpose of encouraging horticultural skills. The prize was an engraved shield.
The shield was presented to Mrs Donaldson by ACHA’s Chief Executive, Alastair MacGregor, when he visited Association tenants on Mull. He commented “I was really pleased to be able to present Judith with the trophy. Her garden is an absolute testimony to hard work and dedication. The lawn was so pristine I was worried about standing on it. I was also really impressed with the discreet rope barriers she had erected above her garden fence to stop the deer getting in to eat her plants.”
ACHA will be extending “in Bloom” awards throughout Argyll and Bute next year following on from the participation and success of the initiative in the Oban and Mull areas this summer.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACHA’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES
1st October 2009
ACHA’S Annual General Meeting has been held in Inveraray. Members in attendance received a report from the Association’s Chairman, Norman Beaton from Ardrishaig. In his report the Chairman highlighted a number of achievements delivered by the Association since the housing stock transfer in November, 2006.
These included the provision of new kitchens and bathrooms in 1,770 tenants’ homes as well as 1,441 windows and doors and 1,384 heating and rewire installations. The Chairman was also pleased to report that £21million will be invested in the Association’s homes this year. The Chairman also reported on progress being made with ACHA’s new build housing programme which encompassed 52 new homes being developed in Campbeltown, 18 in Ardrishaig, 12 in Garelochhead, 8 in Oban and 5 in Inveraray.
He was further able to report that repairs by appointment for all ACHA’s tenants had now been introduced after successful pilots the previous year. The Association’s rent arrears of 2.1% of rents collectible were amongst the best of any Association in the country. He also highlighted that during the year 7 tenancies had been ended through the courts on the grounds of anti social behaviour and drug dealing.
In terms of challenges he reported that the withdrawal of Supporting People funding made the provision of sheltered housing more challenging but the Association remained committed to providing a sheltered housing service. He also highlighted the draft Scottish Government budget for 2010/11 indicated a drop in housing investment of £173million compared with the previous year. This would clearly present challenges in meeting housing needs on the ground.
Following the meeting the Chairman, Norman Beaton, commented “The previous year has seen the Association improve homes and build new ones. In the coming year we will continue to try and be a force for good in providing excellent services and decent affordable homes for the future.”
Following the Annual General Meeting the Association’s Office Bearer positions were as follows; Norman Beaton from Ardrishaig was elected Chair, Bill McIntyre, from Helensburgh, Vice Chair and Councillor Roddy McCuish from Oban, Secretary.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Millknowe Improvements Approved by ACHA Board
7 September 2009
The Management Board of Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) have approved proposals to invest around three quarters of a million pounds in restoring Millknowe Terrace in Campbeltown to quality affordable housing.
The Grade C listed terrace at the entrance to Campbeltown is in poor condition and the properties, because of this, have proved difficult to let in recent years.
The proposals will involve changing the housing mix from 22 to 16 to accurately reflect current needs and will also result in extensive modernisation, improvements to space standards and new gardens. The Association is also keen to look at providing allotments on the land to the rear of the terrace.
Commenting on the decision, local Councillor and ACHA Board member, Rory Colville stated
“I am delighted that the ACHA Board has agreed to the renovation of Millknowe Terrace, the building was the first Social housing built by Campbeltown Town Council early in the last century and it is entirely appropriate its original use will be continued by our community housing association, I am equally pleased at the prospect of allotments possibly being made available as a result of this redevelopment, something that I am sure will be eagerly welcomed by the local community”
The works are scheduled to go out to tender in the autumn and it is hoped that a site start will commence early in the new year.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACHA Completes First New Build Homes
19 June 2009
Argyll Community Housing Association, ACHA, handed over its first new build homes to tenants today (Friday 19th June, 2009) in Whistlefield, Garelochhead in an opening ceremony carried out by local MSP, Jackie Baillie.
The four properties handed over are part of a twelve unit development taken forward by the Association in partnership with the Scottish Government and Argyll and Bute Council. The project cost is £1.5million and when totally completed in March 2010 will provide six one-bedroom and six two-bedroom flats.
Jackie Baillie MSP commented “I am delighted to be here today to see the first homes completed by ACHA. With nearly 1,300 applicants on ACHA’s housing list in the Helensburgh and Lomond area these new homes are most welcome.” She further added “As someone who supported the stock transfer in Argyll and Bute I am really pleased to see the fruits today of that hard work.”
Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s Chief Executive added “This is a landmark day for the Association when we see plans become reality and houses become homes.” He further added “I would like to thank everyone who made today possible turning this site into good quality affordable homes.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACHA Boost for Local Construction
5 June 2009
L-R Alastair MacGregor, Chief Executive of ACHA, three of the apprentices employed on the site and Jim Mather MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy, and Tourism.
Argyll Community Housing Association, ACHA, today signed a £637,000 construction contract with local firm M & K MacLeod. The contract will result in the building of new offices at Glengallan Road, Oban to provide services for ACHA tenants in Oban, Lorn and the Isles and an operating base for 30 of the Association’s staff. The official site start was launched by local MSP and Enterprise Minister, Jim Mather. The project will employ 20 workmen and will provide training opportunities for 3 apprentices and is due to be completed in December 2009.
Commenting Jim Mather said “Back in May 2007, the Government set our goal as being “increased sustainable growth” and when I talked to local groups across Argyll & Bute, they all translated that as “more folk with decent & sustainable work in our area”. So it is a real delight to see ACHA playing its full part in achieving these goals - with the placing of this contract, which creates a better base for its staff, supports local contractors and will help ACHA to build and maintain more the homes that will help more people find and retain local jobs.”
Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s Chief Executive, added “We are delighted to be able to launch this project today to allow the Association to provide its own facilities to meet our tenants’ needs for the future.” “In addition”, he added “I am pleased that at a time of economic challenge the contract has been won by an Argyll company and it will provide employment for 20 people, and further training for 3 apprentices.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
‘FISH Argyll’ project wins national award
11 May 09
Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) is helping houselholds across Argyll tackle the effects of the credit crunch. ACHA’s new project, ‘FISH Argyll’ (Financial Inclusion Services in Housing), has just won a Best Practice award from the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland.
The financial inclusion advisor from the CIH, Ken Dow, said “ACHA’s project will give others working in the field of financial inclusion in Scotland a chance to see what can be achieved in a rural area with all the obvious geographical issues”. ACHA’s Community Development Manager, Gillian McInnes, said “We are trying to do all that we can to help tenants through these tough times”.
A guide called the MONEY MONEY MONEY handbook has been delivered to around 10,000 households who may be in a fragile economic situation. ACHA has also led the way by forging partnerships with Argyll’s credit unions to enable tenants to save along with their rent. In addition, a recent schools theatre production called ‘Meet the Wiltons’ (part Waltons, part Simpsons) gave pupils fantastic information on budgeting, credit cards and the cost of living.
Download Money Money Money handbook in PDF 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACHA Secures 3 Evictions for Drug Dealing
1 May 09
Argyll Community Housing Association confirmed today that it had obtained three decrees for eviction from properties owned by the organisation in the Oban area for drug dealing. Commenting on this development Alastair MacGregor, the Association’s Chief Executive, said “This is a victory for communities involved in tackling illegal and devastating activities. I am personally delighted at the success we have had and the message this sends out.” He further added “I would like to thank the Police, members of the public and ACHA staff who worked closely together to gather the necessary evidence to secure these evictions.”
Since housing stock transfer in November 2006 the Association has pursued a robust and proactive strategy in dealing with drug dealers who live in the Association’s property and those involved in serious anti social behaviour. To date the Association has secured twelve decrees for eviction in total involving those convicted for drug dealing and serious anti social behaviour.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACHA Reaches Kitchen Milestone
7 April 09
Argyll Community Housing Association this week reached the milestone of installing the 1,000th new kitchen since stock transfer in November 2006.
This was reached at the home of Iain and Mary MacAulay at 68 Lorn Road, Dunbeg. Mr and Mrs MacAulay met Andy Birnie, the Chairman of ACHA’s Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee, Alastair MacGregor, Chief Executive, and Donald Addison, Connaught’s Area Supervisor who installed the new kitchen units, to celebrate this landmark.
Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s Chief Executive, commented “In the run up to transfer kitchens were one of the key priorities that our tenants wished us to deal with in the early years. I am delighted that we have reached this milestone with another 300 currently on site, and a further 1,290 due to start this financial year.”
Kitchen replacement is one part of ACHA’s programme to deliver the Scottish Housing Quality Standard by 2015; it also includes programmes for bathrooms, heating, rewire, new windows and doors, roofing and cladding.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The annual report for the period from Stock Transfer to 31 March 2008 can be accessed in PDF format by clicking on the link below;
Annual Report 21 Nov 2006 - 31 Mar 08
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 March 09
Argyll Community Housing Association has become the first Housing Association in Scotland to receive a new award for tenant participation.
TPAS Accreditation was awarded to Argyll Community Housing Association in recognition of the landlord’s commitment to work closely with their tenants throughout Argyll and Bute.
Lesley Baird, Chief Executive of TPAS Scotland is delighted that the Argyll based landlord has been the first association to successfully achieve the award.
Lesley said, “We recognise that Argyll Community Housing Association is genuinely committed to both listening to their tenants and learning from their concerns.”
Mrs Baird added, “Despite the challenge of providing services across a vast geographical area, ACHA have created opportunities for all tenants to get involved in shaping the services on offer. ACHA thoroughly deserve this award.”
Gillian McInnes, Community Development Manager for ACHA welcomes the TPAS Accreditation award. Gillian believes the recently formed Housing Association could not have achieved this without the commitment and hard work of tenant volunteers.
Gillian said, “Tenants right across Argyll and Bute have devoted so much of their time and energy into helping ACHA to be a success. Quite simply, the organisation could not exist without their goodwill, support and experience.”
Achieving TPAS Accreditation involves organisations opening their doors to independent scrutiny of how tenants are involved in influencing their housing service.
TPAS found that Argyll Community Housing Association were able to demonstrate an organisational commitment to tenant participation, as well as a genuine desire amongst staff at all levels to listen and learn from tenants. TPAS will soon be releasing a good practice briefing note on Argyll Community Housing Association’s approach to tenant participation.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACHA’s Board Approves Record Investment Programme for coming year
19 March 09
The Board of Argyll Community Housing Association has approved its highest ever Investment Programme to date in housing and community regeneration in Argyll and Bute for financial year 2009-2010.
In approving ACHA’s third budget since housing stock transfer in 2006 the Board agreed that £41.44million will be invested in existing housing, new housing and wider regeneration initiatives, seen as a priority by the Association.
£28.2million of this agreed programme will go into installing 2,125 kitchens and bathrooms, 1,386 heating and rewires, 270 window and door installations and 158 roof and roughcast replacements to existing tenants’ homes.
The Association will also invest £8.31million in its new build housing programme in Campbeltown, Oban, Garelochhead, Ardrishaig, Inveraray, Lochgoilhead, Dunoon and Islay. This will allow a development programme of 105 new affordable homes to be continued and started on site.
In addition to the investment programme to existing properties and the building of new homes the Association will also invest £4.93million in routine and planned maintenance and the environment.
Commenting on the investment programme Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s Chief Executive, said “This is a programme for much needed housing improvements, building affordable homes and a stimulus for the local economy at a very difficult time.”
He further added “The Association looks forward to working with our tenants and our construction industry partners to deliver our largest programme to date.” Remarking further, he said “I would like to thank the Scottish Government for its contribution and for listening to the case for affordable housing investment in Argyll and Bute.”
The £41.44million investment programme is broken down as follows;
* Investing in meeting the Scottish Housing Quality Standard - £28.2million
* New build development - £8.31million
* Routine and planned maintenance and the environment - £4.93million
The Scottish Government’s grant support to ACHA for financial year 2009-2010 will be £15.5million.
ACHA’s 54 unit new build development at Parliament Place, Campbeltown
Cleared site at Croft Avenue, Oban for a further 8 homes.
Both pictured developments will be funded through the Association’s £41.44million Investment Programme approved this week.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 March 09
Argyll Community Housing Association have implemented a number of new IT systems to assist with the development and needs of the association since stock transfer in November 2006.
Just recently, they have gone live with a new Human Resource & Payroll system which enables the Association to control their own payroll function. It also offers a self service area for employees to book holidays, update personal information and they can even view their payslips on-line.
Since transfer, the Association has also introduced a new cash receipting system, a ledger accounting system, a debtor system, a stock control system, an asbestos management system and a factoring module.
In addition to all of this, new handheld devices have been introduced for their in-house repairs staff which allows them to pick up their appointments for repairs to their properties whilst they are out on site. They have also recently rolled out Office 2007 to all staff and designed and implemented a new ACHA website.
Additionally, they have developed their housing allocations system to run HOME Argyll, which is Scotland’s first common allocations policy. This allows 3 partner RSL’s access to the associations housing management system, allowing them to monitor applicants and to allocate their properties from the common waiting list.
Future plans include mobile repairs, which allows Property Services staff to record pre and post inspections and work orders via a handheld device, an e-procurement system to allow on-line ordering of supplies and internet payments for their tenants.
Vivienne Kerr, the association’s IT Manager explained “It has been a very busy and challenging time for the IT Section since stock transfer took place in November 2006. The IT Section has implemented several new systems in a short space of time. They have all been delivered on time and on budget with little disruption and our staff and service users are now benefiting from these enhancements”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACHA raises the roof in Cardross & Kilcreggan
3 March 2009
Argyll Community Housing Association has just announced that Connaught Partnerships have been successful in securing a £543,000 contract for roofing and roughcasting work to be carried out on 39 of the Association’s properties in Cardross and Kilcreggan.
Roof renewals will be carried out on houses at Barrs Road, Kirkton Road and Kirkton Crescent in Cardross, with roof and roughcasting renewals arranged for homes at Fairfield Gardens, Kilcreggan.
Representatives from Connaught Partnerships and ACHA met on site in Cardross to launch the partnership.
Bill McIntyre, ACHA’s Chairman of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, commented “We are delighted to be able to start this much needed work and look forward to working with Connaught on this project”. He further added “At a time of economic uncertainty the Association is pleased to be able to invest in the local economy through construction.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 February 2009
ACHA is pleased to announce the launch of its new and improved website. The website has been redeveloped to make it more user-friendly as well as having an updated look and feel to it.
The website contains all the latest news and information on the services that the association provides which users can instantly and easily access. The site will continue to improve as we move forward.
Future plans for the site include the facility for tenants to pay their rent, insurance and invoices on-line. Additionally, there will also be a repair logging facility to report non-urgent repairs.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACHA raises the roof in Bonawe
28 January 09
ACHA today awarded a £370,000 contract to Stewart McNee (Dunoon) Ltd to reroof the Association’s eighteen homes in the village of Bonawe on the shores of Loch Etive.
At the contract handover Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s Chief Executive, commented “I am absolutely delighted that an Argyll company has won this contract and I hope that it helps the construction industry in the area at this challenging time”.
Representatives from ACHA and McNees met Mr Jimmy Sinclair from 19 Kenmore Cottages, Bonawe, where the work will start first, with the new slates for the project.
This is ACHA’s third improvement contract in Bonawe since the stock transfer in November 2006; £135,000 has been invested in new kitchens and bathrooms, £8000 in external painterwork, in addition to the £370,000 to be invested in new roofs, which brings a total investment of £514,000.
Councillor Neil Mackay, the local elected member also sits on ACHA’s Board, who attended the launch, commented “I am really pleased to see this work go ahead in such a beautiful part of Argyll and I wish everyone involved with the project all the very best”.
Ian McNee, Director of Stewart McNee (Dunoon) Ltd commented “I am delighted that my Company has secured this contract from ACHA and our aim is to provide a quality finish, making sure that the needs of tenants and the adjoining property owners are carefully considered. Our industry is obviously facing difficult times at the moment and therefore we appreciate ACHA’s support, which in turn will help the Argyllshire economy as a whole”.
The project is scheduled to run for 32 weeks.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACHA to bring relief to relief land
20th January 2009
Argyll Community Housing Association has this week awarded a £346,000 contract to Argyll based company MacLeod Construction to bring a number of empty properties back into use at Relief Land, Inveraray.
Eight flats on the ground floor have been unsuitable to let for approximately 5 years due to their poor condition. Relief Land is one of the town’s oldest buildings, built in 1775 and is category ‘A’ listed. When the works are completed this will provide three two bedroom and two one bedroom flats, all brought up to modern standards whilst retaining much of their existing character. The funding for the project has been secured by ACHA from the Scottish Government.
Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s Chief Executive, commented
“The project will provide much needed affordable housing in an area of very high demand. The Association is delighted at this time of economic uncertainty that an Argyll firm has been successful in obtaining this contract, and the spin offs this will have for local employment.”
Murdo MacLeod, Director of MacLeod Construction Limited commented “ Macleod Construction Limited is delighted to have been awarded this contract and look forward to working with Argyll Community Housing Association and their consultants in upgrading and renovating this listed building in the centre of the Royal Burgh of Inveraray”
The Association would like to thank the Scottish Government, Historic Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council for their funding and assistance to make the project possible.
The project is due to start on site in February, 2009.