Hundreds of new greener and easier to heat homes will be built across Scotland thanks to a £13.5 million investment announced by Scottish Housing Minister Margaret Burgess.
More than 330 new affordable houses are to be constructed using modern, environmentally friendly methods, helping to reduce waste and disruption to the environment, and promoting green methods of construction in the house building industry.
Fourteen projects throughout Scotland will benefit from the Greener Homes Innovation Scheme, which is expected to support around 250 jobs in the construction and related industries over the next year.
The funding provided by the Scottish Government is expected to support projects to a total value of £39 million.
Speaking at a visit to CCG Scotland Ltd in Glasgow – a business that is constructing the greener houses - Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said:
“This innovative scheme recognises the importance of using new, modern technologies to construct greener, cheaper, more energy efficient homes for people to live in.
“Families moving into these new homes will be able to save up to £1000 per year on running costs such as household energy bills due to the energy efficiency measures employed to construct them.
“Not only will this investment promote innovative modern methods of construction and provide a boost to the industry, it will add to the supply of fuel efficient housing , which will help to cut energy bills and tackle fuel poverty.
“We are working hard to deliver more affordable, energy efficient housing to allow us to meet our challenging housing supply, fuel poverty and climate change targets.”
Ronnie MacRae, Chief Executive Officer of the Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust said:
“HSCHT and the many rural communities we work with are delighted to have been awarded funding through this exciting initiative.
“This will allow us and our construction partners MAKAR to show that energy efficient, high quality, low carbon affordable housing can be provided on small rural sites across the Highlands. Using innovative off site construction techniques ensures that cost effective quality controlled homes will be built that can greatly assist in reducing fuel poverty in the Highlands.”
Alastair Wylie, Chairman and Chief Executive at CCG said:
“CCG has chosen to lead rather than be led in the delivery of new sustainable housing solutions. We are in the vanguard of delivering energy efficient housing using innovative means of off-site construction .
“We are delighted to receive support from the Greener Homes Innovation Fund and commend the Scottish Government’s endeavours to promote modern methods of construction.”
