HOUSING bosses have pledged that a major £4 million investment in a high rise flat in Greenock will be 'state-of-the art' and reduce heating costs for tenants living there.

Greenock Telegraph: Prospecthill Court major refurbishment

River Clyde Homes was forced to take the cladding off of Prospecthill Court just three years after it was put up, after cracks appeared on the outside.

Work has now started on the building's new exterior and windows, with the Tele taken on a tour to see it first-hand.

Greenock Telegraph: Prospecthill Court major refurbishment

The man leading the project, the housing association's head of energy and sustainability, Duncan Smith, says people living in the building will benefit from cutting edge technology and materials which will reduce the building's carbon footprint and keep heat inside.

It comes weeks after the housing association hiked the cost of heating by more than 100 per cent for tenants in the Broomhill area's three high rise blocks, which are part of a district biomass heating system.

Greenock Telegraph: Prospecthill Court major refurbishment

Mr Smith said: "My role with River Clyde Homes is about sustainability and bringing down the cost of heating. We are looking at people being able to heat their homes for £200-£300 a year.

"This is about reducing carbon loss from the building, about value and cost. The materials we are using are more expensive but they are the best value.

"This is a major investment and our contractors Kier are the top contractors in the country."

Greenock Telegraph: Prospecthill Court major refurbishment

Prospecthill Court was originally refurbished with cladding and new windows were also put in as part of the £30m regeneration programme completed in 2018.

But in a big setback in July 2021 RCH bosses confirmed the material would have to be stripped off after faults were found. Cladding was also partially removed from Broomhill Court and Whinhill Court.

The £4m redevelopment includes £1.6m from a Scottish Government grant, with the rest of the money from capital funding.

All 91 flats in Prospecthill Court will have triple glazed high performance windows on top of the insulation which will be provided by the new cladding.

Andrew Maher of Kier said: "This makes Prospecthill Court a trailblazer, meeting the Association for Environment Conscious Building standards, the first in Scotland."

As part of the project Kier will be working with local schools on education projects and will fulfil a community initiative as well.

Tenants are remaining in the building while the work goes on.

Phil McDowell, regional director for Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: “We are proud to be working with River Clyde Homes on the redevelopment of Prospecthill Court in Greenock.

"The innovative works will not only revitalise the properties but also help to tackle fuel poverty in the area through a design solution that will improve the building’s thermal and airtight performance, reducing the need for tenants to heat their homes."