Angus Court

The Co-operative’s newest development at Angus Court is progressing well with expected completion around the middle of October 2008.  The site comprises of seven family homes which gives a welcome boost to the Co-operative’s stock of affordable housing.  Despite the unseasonal weather work is on schedule and is continuing internally on kitchens, bathrooms and painting. 

Our photos show the site on 13 August 2008.

Luncarty

The Co-operative is delighted to be involved in a new site in Luncarty, which we are hoping will result in eight new 3-bedroomed family homes.  Discussions are still at an early stage, however it is hoped that completion may be sometime early 2011.

Muirton Park, Phase Two

The second phase of redevelopment work in Muirton will see a total of 69  homes built, 13 of which will belong to the Co-operative.  The site is in the northeast of the regeneration area, near Perth Grammar and St. Columba's secondary schools.  Some of the Co-operative’s properties will overlook the new village green and a further small park will also be created adding to the 'green' space provided in the new estate. 

The site is advancing according to plan and progress is being made from the Malvina Place end, westwards towards the school.  If building work continues as expected, the Co-operative hopes to take posession of it’s 13 properties sometime in early 2010.  Although these homes have already been allocated to existing tenants of the Muirton area,  if you are interested in Muirton Park please come into the office and speak to a member of staff.

Our photos show some of the building work underway.

The Muirton Park Community Development Trust is also progressing well.  They are now fully constituted and have been granted charitable status.  Local resident Dan Swindale has been elected Chair of the Trust and is getting to grips with his new post.  The work continues to seek funding for the Trust which it hopes will be used for amongst other things, training and learning activities, and other key local issues identified by residents. 

Menzies Court

As you may have seen from our News Page, the new eco-terrace in Menzies Court has been handed over to the new tenants. The Co-operative is delighted with the development and has learned a great deal from the innovative building system and construction methods used in this site. Less pollution and waste on site, along with insulated panels and a heat exchange system within the houses make these our greenest' development to date and the Co-operative is keen to continue it’s forward-looking approach to environmental sustainability.

These properties mark a new and innovative construction method for the Co-operative, using the Kingspan Tek System. The main feature of this type of building is that it's much more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable. We've outlined some of the main features:

Energy-efficiency

• Thicker, sealed insulation units on the walls, floor & roof panels leads to lower bills for heating & hot water (estimated average cost per annum: £91).
• Air-tight construction ensures no leakage at skirting boards, sockets, switches, loft hatches etc. and so less wasted energy.
• No sag or slump in insulation over time, and no gaps because of poor site workmanship.
• Whole-house mechanical ventilation creates healthy comfort conditions with reduced heat loss.

Environmental sustainability

• Reduced heating demands means less energy use and less pollution.
• Zero ozone depletion in the construction system.
• Reduced waste and landfill through offsite factory-based fabrication of main structure.
• Materials used for the TEK external wall and roof panels are all recycled.

This is an innovative and unique project. In theory, the fast-track construction of the TEK system should lead to lower costs; in reality, this benefit will take some time to appear, as few building contractors in Scotland are experienced in the use of such systems, and the industry is not yet willing to accept that time savings will occur (and therefore be translated into lower tenders). Accordingly, this may be a one-off and viewed as a valuable demonstration project. It involves additional costs as a result, but in the long run, housing in Scotland will benefit from the experience.

Leonard Street, Perth

As you will already be aware if you are a regular website reader, the Co-operative has been in discussions over the Leonard Street site for some time now.  Leonard Street is located in Perth city centre, opposite the bus station. It used to be a garden machinery outlet but closed last year and has been empty since then. We had thought there may be scope to develop a second, nearby  site on the street, however this has not come to fruition. We are therefore looking at proceeding with the  original plans for sixteen units, a mix  of 1 and 2 bedroom flats.  As yet, we have no start date but obviously hope to progress with this site as quickly as we can.

This is a prime location, close to shops and transport links, just a stones throw from both the bus and train station and would be ideal for anyone looking for city centre living. This maybe another 'green' development for the Co-operative, potentially car-free with no parking facilities provided within the site.

Click here to see a map of the location

Perth College

This site was identified some time ago and it is hoped that it will be a joint development with a private developer providing homes for affordable rent as well as homes for sale. However, at a recent meeting of Perth & Kinross Council's Planning Committee, Planning Permission was refused as it was felt that there were too many flats proposed for the site and not enough family homes. Developers Gladedale will now look at revising the original plans with a view to a further planning submission.

Errol

The Co-operative is pleased to announce it's involvement in a major development at Errol airfield which could result in around 60 homes for affordable rent.

A planning application recently went before Perth & Kinross Council, seeking approval for a sustainable village comprising of a mix of houses for sale and affordable rent, plus industrial units. The first stage of the planning process was approved by Councillors of Perth & Kinross Council, on a compromise of 240 homes, 25% of which would be for affordable rent.

Although it is likely that the planning application will ultimately have to go before the Scottish Executive for approval, the project has widespread support amongst local councillors who have realised the desperate shortage of affordable housing in The Carse. The applicant, the Morris Leslie Group, is also hoping to provide industrial starter units for workshop/office purposes and it is hoped that new jobs will be created as well as consolidating the group's position in the area as an employer and rapidly-expanding business.

More details of the project can be found at www.grangeparkerrol.com