CONNECT Modular and Cunninghame Housing Association (CHA) hosted Scotland's housing minister Paul McLennan MSP and East Ayrshire Council provost Jim Todd to welcome CHA's first residents to a new volumetric-modular, affordable housing development at Shortlees, Kilmarnock.
The properties are manufactured offsite by Connect Modular and the minister began his day with a tour of the firm's manufacturing facility in Cumnock, where he met some of the team responsible for designing and manufacturing the housing modules and to see the benefits volumetric-modular construction provides.
Connect Modular said the tour provided insight into the 'efficient manufacturing process and rigorous inspection routines' delivered in the production of these new homes. The process is said to deliver improvements in waste reduction, environmental outcomes, and programme certainty. Connect Modular has also returned employment to the former carpet factory, creating jobs within the local community.
Following the tour, the minister travelled the short distance to the Shortlees site where he was joined by provost Jim Todd and the first residents for the official handover of homes from Connect Modular to Cunninghame Housing Association. Pupils from Shortlees Primary School designed new home cards to welcome the residents.
The use of MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) at Shortlees is described as reflective of the Scottish Government's commitment to increased use of offsite construction in its Affordable Housing Supply Programme. Connect Modular has a strong pipeline of affordable housing projects, including a second phase of homes with Cunninghame Housing Association.
Richard Reid, acting CEO at Connect Modular, said, "We are absolutely thrilled to see the completion and handover of the first homes in this 101 modular housing development. This project demonstrates our dedication to delivering innovative, sustainable, and affordable housing solutions for our local communities.
"It's been fantastic having the support and endorsement of the housing minister and provost who share our vision of cultivating sustainable communities and improving lives through the provision of modular housing. We're delighted to be working with Cunninghame Housing Association on this development and look forward to the continuous handovers of our homes over the next year."
Linda Anderson, acting CEO at Cunninghame Housing Association, added, "The handover of these first completed houses to the new tenants is an important milestone in the delivery of 101 new homes in an area where demand for housing is much needed. We're excited to continue our successful partnership with Connect Modular through to summer 2024 when the site will be fully complete. The project has benefitted from significant investment from the Scottish Government and this invaluable ongoing support allows us to carry on providing quality new homes as we continually strive to make our communities better places."
Miss Brennan was one of the first residents to receive keys to her new home. She said, "Getting the bungalow has given me a new lease of life and given me my independence back; in my old property I was unable to get upstairs for the last 20 months. I'm delighted with the offer and the house is beautiful."
Housing minister Paul McLennan commented, "Everyone deserves to live in a warm, safe and affordable home and Connect Modular's innovative approach will help us to achieve this. The partnership between Connect Modular and Cunninghame Housing Association, supported by £10.5 million of Scottish Government funding, will deliver 101 affordable new homes at Shortlees. This means that more households will live in a home that meets their needs.
"Partnerships like this will help us to deliver at least 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland by 2032. At least 70% of these will be for social rent and 10% will be in remote, rural and island communities."
