MSP pays a visit to landmark social housing development
THE zero-carbon buildings minister paid a visit to a landmark social housing development in Glasgow soon to be completed. Patrick Harvie MSP visited the West of Scotland Housing Association (WSHA) Passivhaus development in the city’s East End.
Once finished, the development will comprise 36 flats over six storeys and will meet the Passivhaus Standard.
The development is part of a bigger target from the Scottish Government for emissions from heating buildings to reach zero by 2045.
Mr Harvie said: “We want everyone to have a safe, warm affordable home that meets their needs.
“I was delighted to be able to visit the Springfield Cross development and hear first-hand about the benefits that these homes, delivered with over £4 million of Scottish
Government grant funding, are expected to bring to tenants.
“This project will provide much-needed affordable homes in the East End of Glasgow that are high-quality, energy-efficient homes, built to Passivhaus Standard, contributing to our affordable homes target and helping us on our way to achieving our net-zero ambitions.”
During the visit, coordinated by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), Mr Harvie heard how the buildings require little energy use for heating or cooling which helps address fuel poverty.
The project was funded with a Scottish Government grant of £4.3m through Glasgow City Council’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme as well as WSHA’s private finance.
Brian Gannon, chief executive of WSHA, said: “We were delighted to welcome the minister to our first Passivhaus site and show him the innovative features that make
these homes the gold standard of energy efficiency. We will welcome our first tenants in the summer, and they will benefit from lower energy use which will help address fuel poverty. Our Passivhaus developments are a key part of our Green Strategy which highlights how we will achieve a greener and more sustainable future in the coming years.”