Work starts for new homes at Abbeyfield
Housing association Hillcrest took over the building after the trustees of Abbeyfield Crieff and Muthill Society had to make the difficult decision to close the supported accommodation in 2019 as the home was no longer suitable for the current and future needs of the seven elderly residents living there.
Financial constraints and lack of demand for the outdated flatlets were cited as reasons, and all the residents were subsequently found suitable new accommodation.
But now the old building is to be replaced with specialist supported accommodation for Hillcrest Futures.
And Hillcrest residents previously living nearby in Milnab Street are set to benefit.
Four people had to be moved from their homes there in July after it was discovered a nearby chimney was at risk of collapsing.
Immediate action was taken to rehouse the vulnerable residents, with the alert triggering a speedy response from the business community.
The town’s Murraypark Hotel stepped in to offer accommodation until longer-term housing could be arranged.
And now the residents are looking forward to getting the keys once the new-build off Sauchie Road is complete.
A spokesperson for Hillcrest said: “Working in partnership with Aberuthven based Hadden Group, Hillcrest is delighted to be delivering specialist supported accommodation for Hillcrest Futures on the site of the former Abbeyfield House at Ryan Place. The new build properties will provide new permanent homes for the residents of Milnab Street who were displaced from their homes earlier this year due to a structural issue with a neighbouring block”.
Stephen Lynas, business development director for the Hadden Group, added: “Following the success of our recently completed Pigeon Row housing development in Crieff, we’re looking forward to working again in partnership with Hillcrest to deliver these much- needed enhanced homes.
“We’re delighted to be working again in Crieff where our business was first established in 1992.”