Manse Gardens in Strachur, rural Argyll & Bute, has undergone a £3.6 million regeneration project, transforming a former sheltered housing development into 16 high-quality, energy-efficient general needs homes for Trust Housing Association.

The original development comprised 21 small sheltered housing properties which had become unsuitable for modern needs following the withdrawal of revenue funding. Working with the remaining residents, Trust Housing Association developed plans to reimagine the site, creating a smaller and more sustainable housing mix designed around local housing need.

The completed development provides 13 one-bedroom, two-person homes, two two-bedroom, four-person homes and one three-bedroom, five-person home, all available for social rent. Each home has been fully refurbished, with enhanced space standards created through new single-storey extensions, alongside new kitchens, bathrooms and internal doors.

Significant improvements have also been made to the energy performance of the homes. New roofs, windows, external doors and insulation are complemented by High Retention heating, solar panels and battery storage, helping to reduce residents’ energy costs while supporting Trust’s wider ambition to decarbonise its housing stock. The wider site has also benefited from increased parking and a new centrally located area of green open space.

M&C were appointed by Trust Housing Association to provide a Clerk of Works service, ensuring the works met the client’s requirements and maintained the required standards throughout construction. Our involvement began at the pre-start stage and continued through to completion and handover, with an end-of-defects inspection service also provided.

The project also marked our first homes handed over for Trust Housing Association, adding a new client relationship to our growing portfolio of affordable housing projects across Scotland.

Works were delivered by TSL Contractors, with Trust supported by a wider design and consultancy team including Anderson Bell & Christie, NBM Construction Cost Consultants, G3 Consulting Engineers, Carbon Futures, Mike Hyatt Landscape Architects, McDonald & Cameron Ltd and Green Home Systems.