Work has begun on a 44-home “family friendly” development in the East End of Glasgow. 

Shettleston Housing Association has started work on an affordable housing complex on the former St Mark’s school site, near Tollcross Park.

Paisley-based JR Group has been appointed to work on the development and has commenced site preparation and construction works.

The family homes are expected to be completed over a 16-month period and ready for new residents by early March 2023.

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They include a mix of eight cottage flats, 17 family homes, 19 flats, private and communal gardens, parking and amenity space.

All homes have been designed to achieve Glasgow City Council’s Gold Hybrid standard of energy efficiency.

The JR Group is also set to provide a range of community benefits, like local employment and training opportunities.

Chair of Shettleston Housing Association, Lesley Scoffield, said: “We’re delighted to see this significant family development get underway. 

“Shettleston needs more good quality family homes, and we are pleased to be able to deliver this highly energy efficient development in an ideal location next to Tollcross Park.”

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Andrew Dallas, Projects Director for The JR Group, said: “We are delighted to start work on this development and working alongside Shettleston Housing Association to deliver a mix of much-needed family homes for the area whilst repurposing the former St Mark’s school site.

“We always make the commitment to invest in the communities we are working in, and this case is no different, through employment and training opportunities. 

“We are also speaking to a number of community groups to consider how we might support them over the duration of construction.”

The project is funded through Glasgow City Council’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme and from the Association’s own loan finance via Royal Bank of Scotland.