Scotland's first large-scale affordable modular housing development has been completed in Ayrshire.
The ground-breaking £9.8million project was successfully delivered within budget and one month ahead of schedule by Riverside Scotland and Connect Modular, part of The Wee House Group, and will provide 63 high-quality, low energy, affordable homes in Dundonald.
The gold accredited Secured by Design development has also helped to sustain 60 local jobs with the energy efficient new homes built offsite at Connect Modular’s manufacturing facility in Cumnock.
And the homes have helped to inspire the next generation of construction workers after Hector Hodge from Dundonald became fascinated by the scheme over the past year as he walked past the new housing development on his way to nursery.
The modular homes are 90 per cent complete when they depart the factory with kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing and electrics installed, leading to a significantly shorter build programme and earlier occupancy.
The Dundonald development has given Hector a glimpse into the future of Scotland’s construction industry and led to him being made guest of honour at a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the completion of this innovative housing development.
Aspiring builder, Hector was cheered on by his dad, David, managing director of Riverside Scotland, Diana MacLean and Jennifer Higgins, managing director of Connect Modular, as he cut a ribbon to mark the completion of the development.
David said: “We live in the village and having a live building site on our doorstep has been a dream for Hector.
"A real highlight for Hector was seeing the modules arrive on a convoy of lorries and be craned into position.
"He was fascinated with the process! He is mad about diggers and it’s been a real joy to visit the site with him and watch him bond with the workers.
“We were honoured to be asked to officially open the new homes.
"It’s a lovely memory for Hector to look back on when he’s older, and possibly working in construction, having been so inspired by this development.
"These homes were much-needed in the village and its lovely to see new faces and welcome our new neighbours to the community.”
Jennifer Higgins, managing director at Connect Modular, said: “We are thrilled to hand over this *award-winning development ahead of schedule.
"Riverside Scotland’s willingness to embrace this evolution in construction on a large-scale project brings us a huge step closer to a housing stock that will achieve a Net Zero Scotland by 2045.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to welcome Hector and David to the site throughout the project.
"It’s wonderful to see how inspired and interested Hector is in construction.
"He struck up a real friendship with our site manager, Archie Stobbs and his visits always brightened up our day.
"You never know, our youngest ever apprentice may join us for real some day!”
The Dundonald development is now home to ten military Veteran households – accounting for 16 per cent of the affordable homes built in Dundonald after Riverside Scotland exceeded its targets.
Diana MacLean, managing director of Riverside Scotland, said: “This nationally significant affordable housing scheme has raised the profile of offsite construction in Scotland and the rest of the UK.
“While we are a smaller housing association we have big ambitions which we are able to achieve by being part of the wider Riverside Group.
“By providing high-quality, low energy homes at speed and scale we are helping to tackle climate change, prevent homelessness for our veteran community and help these residents to live in affordable, warm homes during the largest cost of living crisis our nation has faced for the past 40 years.
“We are delighted that Hector could help to cut the ribbon during the completion ceremony.
"He has become something of a site mascot, and it’s heartening to hear that local residents have embraced the development as an important project for Dundonald.”
The project was delivered with £4.65 million of grant funding through the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme.
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