One of Scotland’s largest affordable housing and support services providers welcomed Scottish Housing Minister Paul McLennan to its award winning development.

Link showcased its successful experience in delivering a large scale, sustainable, multi tenure, regeneration project in Glasgow’s East End by showcasing its Riverside Dalmarnock development. 

The minister discussed Link’s approach to funding the project, meeting the group's chief executive Jon Turner,  financial director Nick Pollard, Colin Culross, commercial director and managing director of C~urb, Link’s property-focused commercial arm, as well as managing director of McTaggart Construction Ltd, Janice Russell.

Glasgow Times:

The social enterprise group delivered the all-tenure project, which included a blend of social rent and mid-market rent New Supply Shared Equity, in partnership with McTaggart Construction Ltd, who also developed homes for outright sale.

Mr McLennan learnt about how Link has recently secured a £70 million funding package with Bank of Scotland linked to Sustainability Loan terms and a groundbreaking £80 million worth of funding from Scottish Widows in 2021/22.

This saw Link become the first Scottish social housing provider to access an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) linked loan on this scale.

He said: “The right to a warm, safe and affordable home is critical to wellbeing and is a right everyone deserves.

“Link Group play a valuable role in increasing the range of affordable housing available throughout Scotland, and I was delighted to visit this development, which the Scottish Government has supported with over £60 million.”

He added: “This funding so far, has supported Link to provide 302 high quality, energy efficient affordable homes in Dalmarnock and a further 81 homes were provided by McTaggart Construction.

“High quality housing is a key pillar of Housing to 2040, whilst also eradicating fuel poverty and homelessness and ensuring everyone has access to green space and essential services.

“Both Link and McTaggart Construction play a key role in delivering high-quality homes and I welcome these new affordable houses in Dalmarnock.”

Glasgow Times:

Riverside Dalmarnock will deliver 562 homes for social and mid-market rent, alongside affordable home ownership to the Scottish Government’s shared equity scheme, which is managed by C~urb and properties for outright sale by McTaggart Construction Ltd.

Nick Pollard, Link Group financial director, said: “Link has been working to find alternative and sustainable funding sources for several years so we can continue to develop thriving and sustainable communities.

“I was delighted to share with the Minister for Housing, Paul McLennan, the steps we have taken to secure additional income in a time of economic uncertainty.”

He added: “I’m hugely heartened he is interested in our work and will share our best practices with colleagues in the Scottish Government.”

Janice Russell, managing director of McTaggart Construction, said: “Providing quality affordable homes will make a real difference to Dalmarnock for generations to come and we are delighted to be supporting the regeneration of the community.”

She added: “Our partnership with Link and the Scottish Government to sell and build these fantastic properties as part of the first project backed by ESG funding is both exciting and a blueprint for a sustainable future in delivering vital affordable housing.”