Published on:
02
February 2023
An open day for councillors and other key stakeholders has been held at the award winning new Alloa town centre housing development which is due to be completed mid-February.
The event was an opportunity to view the leading edge show home, enjoy a tour of the wider development and to speak to Council officers, staff from Kingdom Housing Association and partners about the approach taken to developing the flats. The event was hosted by Council Chief Executive Nikki Bridle and Bill Banks, Chief Executive of Kingdom Housing Association.
Architects were on hand to discuss the intricacies of the dementia friendly design as well as the external aesthetic elements. The building has been designed to fit well in the surrounding streets and the site's heritage. The new civic space and key corners of the building will include artwork depicting the history of Alloa, including Walter Awlson's relocated clay 'Heritage Panels'.
Kingdom Housing Association’s design team have worked closely with Stirling University’s Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) to achieve the highest level of Dementia friendly accreditation on offer. The flats have open-plan layouts, views front and rear, full height glazing, plus appropriate use of colour, materials, signage and landscaping in order to provide an extremely pleasant environment which is easily navigated.
Housing and Property Spokesperson, Councillor Jane McTaggart said: "It was fascinating to see in-person how much architectural detail goes into making a housing development as innovative and accessible as this one.
"It’s been a privilege to see these flats coming to life to and to have the opportunity to understand more behind not just the accessibility and dementia friendly aspects of the flats but also the sustainability and future proofing considerations that have been taken into account.
"I was inspired by our partners’ enthusiasm for the ideas and creativity that have made the housing development such a success. Once the tenants have moved in, I look forward to seeing the impact the flats have had on their lives as well as staying in touch with them and getting their feedback."
Funded by the Scottish Government’s Housing Investment Subsidy and Place Based Investment Fund, the housing development is a partnership project between Clackmannanshire Council, Kingdom Housing Association and the Scottish Government and has been developed in collaboration with Architecture & Design Scotland (A&DS), Bracewell Stirling Architects, Stirling University and Campion Homes. The innovative homes have taken a derelict town centre site and transformed it into a stunning development of 60 new dementia friendly designed homes.
The Council and Kingdom Housing Association were very proud to receive two prestigious awards for the flats towards the end 2022. The project was recognised at the Scotland Loves Local Awards held during the Scotland’s Town Conference in Kilmarnock in November 2022, winning in the ‘Town Centre Living’ category. These awards are a celebration of all that is great about our nation’s towns and neighbourhoods, recognising and rewarding dedication, innovation and commitment towards a sustainable future.
In December 2022, Living Alloa, a project which includes the Primrose Place flats, received the SURF award for ‘Improving Scotland’s Places’, as a well deserved recognition of the work done on wider Alloa Town Centre Regeneration and improvements in collaboration with Clackmannanshire Council, the third sector and local businesses.