Today, Alastair Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Churches Housing Action, launched a joint project by Ayrshire Housing and Kingcase Parish Church, Prestwick.
This sees the construction of 10 new houses alongside the redevelopment of the Kingcase Parish’s hall. The church sold surplus ground to Ayrshire Housing which has helped to fund the work to the hall. The design and build for both organisations has been co-ordinated through a single design and contractor team to maximise efficiencies for both parties. The architect is ARP Lorimer and Associates of Ayr and the builder is Moulds of Kilmarnock.
Mr Cameron said at the launch:
“Scottish Churches Housing Action is delighted to see this sort of partnership between congregation and housing association, and it’s the sort of thing we’d like to see a lot more of across Scotland.
“We see huge potential in solving one problem – too many aging church properties – by putting them to use to solve another of Scotland’s problems: not enough affordable housing for young people and those excluded from the housing market.”
The ten houses are designed to meet a range of housing needs and the £1m project cost has been supported by a substantial Scottish Government grant.
The photograph shows from left to right, Rev David Watson, Minister of Kingcase Parish Church; Sandy Martin, the Scottish Government; Emma Cassidy, South Ayrshire Council; Architect Gordon Fleming; Ayrshire Housing’s Jim Whiston and Alastair Cameron.