A £7MILLION transformation of a Glasgow tower block which will provide nearly 100 energy-efficient homes is nearing completion.

The refurbishment of the Glasgow Housing Association flats at Ibroxholm Oval will be completed this summer.

Lowther Homes, part of Wheatley Housing Group and a sister organisation of GHA, is carrying out work at the Ibrox site and today Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will tour the flats.

Ibroxholm Oval's two neighbouring tower blocks have been demolished.

However, the remaining block is being given a new lease of life after the Scottish Government approved a £1.1m bid from its Innovation and Investment Fund.

A further £1.1m was secured from the Community Energy Savings Programme partnership with Scottish Power.

The development of 28 one-bedroom and 70 two-bedroom flats is the biggest mid-market rental project in Glasgow and one of the biggest in Scotland.

The refurbishment involves overcladding the outside of the block, installing new windows, kitchens and bathrooms and building a new glass foyer at the front of the block.

A combined heat-and-power system will warm the homes through a network of underground pipes.

There will also be new lifts, secure parking and video entry at the block.

The show flats are expected to be open in July.

Lowther Homes chairman Ronnie Jacobs said: "The flats are being transformed into attractive, modern homes that are spacious and energy efficient. Rents starting at £420 per month will ensure the supply of affordable homes of different tenures is increased in the South of the city.

"The ongoing regeneration of the wider Govan area is making this part of Glasgow increasingly popular."

The external work is being carried out by building contractor Wates Living Space, while the internal refurbishments is being down by City Building.

George Kirk, Cities Director at ScottishPower Energy Networks, said: "This is an innovative project that could prove to be very beneficial for the city and its residents.

"ScottishPower was pleased to be involved from the start of the project and able to contribute through the CESP (Community Energy Savings Programme) mechanism.

"Pioneering projects like this also allow our engineers to gain greater insight and understanding of the way combined heat and power systems will integrate with the electricity distribution network in the future."

For further information, visit the website www.ibroxholm.com or call 0800 561 6666.

deborah.anderson@ eveningtimes.co.uk