Fyne Homes Housing Association

Latest News

13.11.08

Fyne Homes commended at two national housing awards

Fyne Homes is celebrating success after a double commendation at both this year’s Sustainable Housing Awards and the Scottish Saltire Society Housing Design Awards for their fantastic work on the community owned Island of Gigha.

The Argyll and Bute based Housing Association was named as a finalist in the community category of The Sustainable Housing Awards 2008, organised by Inside Housing magazine and received recognition at the Society Housing Design Awards for the affordable housing project and regeneration of Gigha.

The Sustainable Housing Awards is the first awards scheme in the UK to focus on the best “green” social housing projects constructed in the UK, and the organisations responsible for them. The glittering ceremony took place at the Hilton Hotel in London’s Park Lane on Tuesday 11 November.

The Saltire Scottish Housing Design Awards, which took place at the Lighthouse Gallery in Glasgow - also on Tuesday 11 November, identifies high quality housing developments and highly praised Fyne Home’s affordable housing project carried out on Isle of Gigha. This £2.3m affordable housing project has provided 18 new homes for Gigha and is part of a continuing program of regeneration on the island.

This recognition highlights the fantastic work carried out by Fyne Homes on the final phase of the first new social housing development to be built on the island in five decades, which was opened last year by the Princess Royal.

Alan McDougall, director of Fyne Homes said: “It’s a great achievement to reach the final stages of two national housing awards and to achieve commendations from both is absolutely fantastic.

“We pride ourselves on creating affordable and sustainable housing which will reduce UK carbon emissions, whilst also creating opportunities for people to live in top quality housing. To be recognised as a provider for high quality housing is a great testament to our Housing Association.”

10.11.08

FYNE FUTURES HELPS TO BRING KILMUN VILLAGE HALL TO LIFE

Kilmun Village Hall Fyne Futures, the subsidiary of Fyne Homes Housing Association, has teamed up with the Kilmun Hall and Recreation Association to help develop a sustainability plan for the historical listed building which overlooks the Holy Loch.

Working closely with the Kilmun Village Hall group, Fyne Futures hopes that together they can help position the recently refurbished hall as an attractive venue for social, educational and recreational purposes.

The building, which is Category B Listed and dates back to 1911, is increasingly been used by local social and sport groups and has also been used to stage conferences and business events.

With a capacity to hold 120 people the hall also has established a reputation as an ideal venue for weddings and other special celebrations. The location adds a great deal making it an attractive option for locals and also has the potential to pull other people from throughout the country to Kilmun, who are searching for a unique venue and the ultimate backdrop for weddings and other special occasions.

Fiona Fisher, chair of the Kilmun Village Hall Group said: "Our village hall is a real hidden gem and the hall is located in a stunning location with breathtaking views overlooking the Holy Loch, which will help to raise awareness of this unique venue not only to those in Argyll and Bute but to people further a field.

"We are delighted that we have the support of Fyne Futures. Their help is greatly appreciated and together with the on going support of the dedicated members of the Kilmun Village Hall group we hope that the Hall will quickly become recognised as a unique venue for weddings, conferences and also provide a central meeting place for the community, bringing them closer together."

Alan McDougall, director of Fyne Homes said: "Fyne Homes prides it self as being an organisation which is a central part of the community throughout Argyll and Bute. As well as providing affordable housing we also believe that is crucial that we help local community groups such as the Kilmun Village Hall Group.

"With the support if our subsidiary group, Fyne Futures we hope that we can inject some life into Kilmun and position the village hall as an attractive venue to stage weddings and functions and also attract more people to Kilmun, helping to boost the local economy."

05.11.08

St Kieran Primary School Pupils unveil Fyne Homes’ latest housing development

The new Ramsay Place development in Argyll Street Campbeltown was unveiled yesterday (Tuesday 4 November) by pupils from St Kieran’s Primary School who recently ran a competition to name Fyne Homes latest housing development.

The Rothesey based housing association, Fyne Homes, has constructed 12 new homes ranging in size from one to two bedrooms. The construction of these new amenity flats, which are now available to rent, will provide the area with more top quality affordable housing and demonstrates the continued commitment displayed by Fyne Homes to regenerate Argyll and Bute, ensuring it remains an attractive and vibrant place to live and to work in.

Eleven year old Shon Grady, whose winning entry appealed to the judging panel, was joined by class mates and his primary seven class teacher Jo Nelson as well as John Pemble, Chairman of Fyne Homes and David Gardner, committee member of Fyne Homes, as they got an exclusive first look into the new homes.

Jo Nelson, primary seven class teacher at St Kieran’s Primary School said: “All the children put in a great deal of effort and created a wide range of ideas to name Fyne Homes latest housing development, which made the judging process very difficult.

“However we would all like to congratulate Shon on his winning entry and thank Fyne Homes for allowing us to see inside the new houses now that the project has been completed.”

Shon Grady, 11 years old, from St Kieran’s Primary School said: “I was really excited when I discovered that my idea had been selected as the winning entry to name the new houses and I’m really looking forward to seeing the new street sign with my suggestion on it.”

Alan McDougall, director of Fyne Homes said: “Fyne Homes are committed towards regenerating Argyll and Bute and the completion of the development at Ramsay Place marks another exciting chapter for Campbeltown.

“We are delighted with the support we were given by the local school children from St Kieran’s who form a central part of the community within Campbeltown. The number of entries received was overwhelming and there was some stiff competition however I think we all agree that Shon’s winning entry fits the new development perfectly. ”

Ramsay Place, Campbeltown

Claire McAllister, John Pemble and David Gardiner of Fyne Homes

Ramsay Place, Campbeltown

Jo Nelson, John Pemble and David Gardiner with the pupils of St Kieran's Primary School

03.11.08

FYNE HOMES NAMED AS FINALIST IN TWO NATIONAL HOUSING AWARDS

Fyne Homes has been short listed as a finalist in two prestigious housing awards, recognising the fantastic work the organisation has carried out on the community owned island of Gigha.

The Argyll and Bute housing association will compete as a finalist in the community category of The Sustainable Housing Awards 2008, and will also be recognised for its achievements at this years Saltire Scottish Housing Design Awards.

The Sustainable Housing Awards is the first awards scheme in the UK to focus on the best "green" social housing projects constructed in the UK, and the organisations responsible for them. The glittering ceremony will take place at the Hilton Hotel in London's Park Lane on Tuesday 11 November.

The Saltire Scottish Housing Design Awards will take place at the Lighthouse Gallery in Glasgow, on Monday 10th November and will recognise high quality housing design across Scotland.

This recognition highlights the fantastic work carried out by Fyne Homes on the final phase of the first new social housing development to be built on the island in five decades, which was opened in 2007 by the Princess Royal.

With funding from Communities Scotland, Fyne Homes completed eighteen new family homes for rent at a total cost of £2.3M.

From the outset the project was focused on the community with the islanders being involved in selecting the house designs as well as the final name for the scheme. The completed housing has been an integral part of the island's success story and has assisted the ongoing regeneration of Gigha.

Alan McDougall, director of Fyne Homes said: "We are delighted that Fyne Homes has been recognised for our work on Gigha, which now provides the islanders with quality and affordable housing.

"To get to the final stages of two national housing awards is a great achievement, especially as both competitions have attracted a huge number of entries. As well as ensuring that we give people the opportunity to live in top quality houses we also pride ourselves on creating sustainable housing which will help reduce the UK's carbons emissions."

06.10.08

Fyne Homes unveils latest development in Lochgilphead

Blarbuie Road, Lochgilphead Fyne Homes completed the second and final phase of yet another affordable housing development, this time in Lochgilphead, on Thursday 2nd October by handing over the keys to the new residents.

The Rothesay based housing association has invested over £1.84m in constructing a total of 11 new houses for rent along Blarbuie Road, completing the regeneration of the former NHS site.

A range of social housing has been provided, including; three, three-bedroom houses, four two-bedroom cottage flats and four two-bedroom semis.

The building work has been carried out by local contractor M&K Macleod and the architect is Ian Kennedy of Bracewell Stirling Architects based in Tillicoultry

Maintaining Fyne Homes focus and commitment to sustainability and creating environmentally friendly homes, solar panels have been installed in each house to maximise energy efficiency and help reduce the heating bills.

Alan McDougall, Director of Fyne Homes said: “This latest development along Blarbuie Road looks set not only to inject new life into Lochgilphead, but also provide local people with good quality affordable homes. These new houses will help to make sure that Mid-Argyll remains an attractive and vibrant place in which to live and work.”