High-rise flats to be transformed after cladding funding success

The skyline in Glenrothes is set to change thanks to a successful partnership between the Scottish Government and Fife Council to help deliver warmer homes for communities.

Raeburn Heights, the only high-rise in Glenrothes, has been successful in receiving funding to have over-cladding installed on the building.

Julie Ford, SNP councillor for Glenrothes West and Kinglassie, welcomed the initiative and is looking forward to seeing the benefits for residents.

She said: “It may seem bizarre right now to be talking about making our homes warmer, but we only need to cast our minds back to a few months ago when we were knee-high in snow.

“Too many of the houses in our communities aren’t designed to keep the heat in during our winters, which results in too much hardship for many people.

“I am pleased that both the Scottish Government and Fife Council have recognised this and have therefore helped to fund the cladding on Raeburn Heights.

“Once finished, it will transform the block and hopefully make it around 25% cheaper for residents to heat.”

The 61-property privately-owned high-rise was originally built in 1961 and remains one of the prominent landmarks in the town centre.

It was included in a wider review earlier this year in response to the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in London, although no safety concerns were identified by the Fife Multi-Storey Blocks Review Group, which included representatives from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

The flats at Raeburn Heights.