GHA tenants are Winging their way home to Carntyne

Feb 26 2009 By Frank Hurley

FOUR Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) tenants living in the 'structurally defective' Winget properties in Carntyne have moved back in.

Their homes have been saved and newly refurbished.

The properties have received the technical solution identified to save their structure - along with major investment work including: the installation of new roofs, brand new central heating, new kitchens and bathrooms, re-wiring, internal repairs to doors, facings, skirtings and plasterwork.

The Winget properties - constructed in the late 1920s using a reinforced concrete design - were first designated 'structurally defective' more than 20 years ago due to their construction type.

GHA carried out a pilot study commissioned in April 2007 on four properties in Glencorse Street and four in Gorebridge Street which found that the properties could be saved by carrying out structural repairs.

The Adams system was identified as the solution (it stabilises the properties with steel wall ties and a specialised cement slurry) since it provides sufficient structural stability and a certified 60 year additional life to the properties. The GHA Board confirmed in September 2008 that it would not only save the 604 tenanted properties by carrying out structural repairs - but that it would also undertake major refurbishment works on the houses.

Mary Ann McKenna who has lived in a Winget property for 30 years has now settled into a newly saved home on Glencorse Street.

She said: "I'm delighted with my new home. It feels like a new build and I'm still close by to the friendly faces I know.

My kitchen is bigger, I got to choose the units and the house is lovely and warm.

I'm really pleased with the result and that these homes have been saved.

Some of my old neighbours have been to visit just to see the work that's been carried out and they're all really impressed too."

Wilma Masterton, tenant chair of GHA's Operations Committee, said: "There is a real sense of community in Carntyne and it's great that GHA has been able to save the Winget homes and the community spirit.

"We're now in the process of finishing the works to the pilot properties in Gorebridge Street.

"We will be starting our search for a contract or who can deliver the Adams system and investment to the rest of the Winget homes."

About 297 homeowners live in Wingets properties and under current rules, 199 of those whose homes need to be saved share common ownership of properties with GHA.

This means that these owners are eligible for a minimum grant of 50 per cent of their share of the costs from the s100 million ringfenced Preferential Grant Scheme (PGS) operated by Glasgow City Council.

The remaining 98 owners, whose homes are located within whollyowned four-in-a-block type or semi-detached properties are not eligible for grant assistance.

To ensure the holistic redevelopment of the Carntyne area, GHA is exploring a range of options to encourage these owners to participate in the investment option.