Minister for Housing and Communities Alex Neil visited Morris & Spottiswood's first new build development on behalf of Link Group on Monday 15th June 09.

The Minister visited Lomond Drive in Falkirk where Link has responded to the local need for affordable housing by building a £3.7m development supported by Scottish Government funding.

The 32 houses and flats are available for rent, shared ownership and sale through the Scottish Government’s New Supply Shared Equity Scheme.

He also met young trainees who undertook Falkirk Council 'Getting Ready for Work' traineeships with Morris & Spottiswood, a leading Scottish provider of new build, refurbishment and maintenance services to the affordable housing sector.


Dougie Bennett, Managing Director of Morris & Spottiswood's Housing Division said: "We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to work with Link in providing good quality homes for the people in the local community of Falkirk. We are also pleased to have been able to offer construction skills learning to many young people in the area with a view to supporting them on the road to full time employment."

Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil added: "This new development in Falkirk typifies the high quality housing that the Scottish Government has committed to deliver throughout Scotland. Against a backdrop of economic turmoil, we have moved quickly to respond to the events of the past year; boosting expenditure to support both the sector and individual households.

"It's vital that we take every opportunity to increase supply but I'm determined that quantity should not be achieved at the expense of quality - both in terms of the fabric of the houses and the wider environment."

Link's Chief Executive Craig Sanderson said Lomond Drive is an "excellent example" of a quality mixed-tenure development and that Link are pleased to have been able to help young people in the area benefit in terms of training and preparation for employment.

(GK/JM)