Carling Property Group makes history with affordable housing partnership with Scottish Government

Property and investment firm Carling Property Group has made history as the first private property developer to receive affordable housing support from the Scottish Government.

Carling Property Group (CPG), whose mission is to fill the gap in affordable accommodation in Scotland, qualified for a substantial six figure sum from the Scottish Government’s Rural and Islands Housing Fund. CPG has used the money to convert a former old school house in Blairgowrie, Perthshire into eight properties, complete with secondary glazing, new flooring, private parking and disabled access.

The new properties at the former St. Stephen’s RC Primary School mark the latest affordable housing project for CPG, which also counts student and senior housing among its ventures. CPG is currently at work converting the former Chance Inn in Inverkeilor, Angus into affordable housing rentals.
CPG is believed to be the only private property developer to have received RIHF money. It has also worked with the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership on the Blairgowrie project, with SEHP providing support with grant and property applications.

Graeme Carling, co-founder with wife Leanne Carling of Carling Property Group, said the Blairgowrie properties were already attracting interest, proving that demand continues to be high for affordable housing across Scotland.

Graeme said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government, via its Rural and Islands Housing Fund, has supported a private developer for the first time. As we expected, there has been strong interest in the apartments. This clearly demonstrates the need for more affordable housing in the area, and in Scotland. We remain committed to helping fill this gap but, sadly for those seeking affordable accommodation, there is still much work to be done in this sector.”

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, which hosts the Scottish Empty Homes
Partnership on behalf of the Scottish Government, said:

“The conversion of this former school is a fantastic example of how empty properties can be part of the solution to Scotland’s shortage of affordable homes. Particularly in more rural communities it can be much more cost-effective to renovate existing empty homes or convert empty non-residential buildings to housing rather than start building from scratch on a greenfield site.”

CPG’s project in Blairgowrie features seven one-bedroom and one studio apartments, with rents starting at £250 a month. The properties are being let through the Perth and Kinross Council-run PKC Lets. Priority is being given to those working in the local area, over-55s and applicants with medical needs.