Atrium Homes played host to Keith Brown MSP, Minister for Housing and Infrastructure when he formally opened its newest affordable housing development at Wyle Crescent/Glaisnock Street, Cumnock on 29th May.
Mr Brown was joined by Ken Stewart, Chair of Atrium Homes, Adam Ingram MSP, Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council, Councillor Tom Cook, Deputy Leader of East Ayrshire Council and other guests as he unveiled a plaque to commemorate the event, before meeting some of the tenants in the development to see first hand the difference which their new homes had made to their lives.
Built at a cost of £3.1 million, part of which was provided by a Scottish Government grant and the rest by Atrium Homes, the development at Wylie Crescent provides 25 properties for rent, one of which is designed for a wheelchair user and the remainder are designed for families but still comply with Housing for Varying Needs Standards. They were constructed by Atrium’s Single Framework contractor, Ayrshire firm McTaggart Construction Ltd.
Speaking on behalf of Atrium Homes, Ken Stewart said: “This is a proud day for Atrium Homes as we officially open our first development in Cumnock and I hope these houses will stand here for many years and provide homes for future generations. Atrium would like to provide greater numbers of new housing in the area but these are difficult times for the affordable housing sector, and those few organisations that are still developing are being asked to do more and more with less money. We are pleased the Minster accepted our invitation to see for himself how good housing changes lives.”
Housing Minister Keith Brown said: “This development received £1.7 million of funding from the Scottish Government. It has provided much needed affordable accommodation, created jobs and supported the local economy. The contractor, McTaggart Construction is a local Ayrshire company involved in a number of similar projects in East Ayrshire and further afield. It illustrates the strong partnership working between East Ayrshire Council, Atrium Homes and the Scottish Government.”