WORK has started on 134 new homes in a Drumchapel community.

The Linkwood Drive development is partnership between Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) and Cernach Housing Association (CHA), with 98 homes for the former and 36 for the latter.

The homes are being built on the site of former tenements, close to Drumchapel High School.

The £18 million development will be a mix of flats and houses, with 16 of the homes adapted for wheelchair users.

Each home will have energy-efficient features including solar panels to cut heating costs.

The development, which includes £6m grant funding from the Scottish Government, is expected to be finished by early 2020.

Glasgow Times:

Councillor Kenny McLean, Glasgow City Council convener for neighbourhoods, housing and public realm, joined GHA chair Bernadette Hewitt, tenants and staff from GHA, CHA and Wheatley Group – GHA’s parent company – to mark the start of work on the homes.

Local elected members and representatives from the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and the contractor, McTaggart Construction, were also present.

Councillor McLean said: “These homes will meet the needs of a wide range of people and will be environmentally-friendly with cheaper heating bills.

“This is a major development for Drumchapel, and a real tribute to the partnership working that has brought us to this stage.”

Meanwhile GHA chair Bernadette Hewitt said: “I’m looking forward to seeing these modern new homes taking shape.

“This is the largest single housing development in Drumchapel for some years and means the return of more people and activity to the heart of Drumchapel.”

Susan McDonald MBE, chair of Cernach Housing Association, added: “We are delighted to be involved in this development with GHA which is supported by Glasgow City Council.

“Drumchapel continues to be a popular area, and this will be a great improvement for the community with homes for a variety of households on previously vacant land.”