Lockerbie Old School is one of the Dumfries & Galloway Regeneration projects supported by our Community Regeneration Unit. It see’s The Association giving project management support to the Lockerbie Old School SCIO to develop a proposal. They aim to secure funds to refurbish the former Dryfesdale Public Old School building. Built in 1875 it has been at the heart of the local community for over 140 years. In 1988, during the Lockerbie Disaster, the school building was home to the investigation HQ. The Group got the building via an asset change from Dumfries and Galloway Council in 2020.
Working with the Old School Committee and Dumfries & Galloway Council the aim is to create a new Community Centre. This will give exciting new meeting, cultural, training and business space within Lockerbie Town Centre. As part of the development the Association is creating a proposal for 8 residential units for those with support needs. We are working to raise a package of £4m from public and Trust funders for the new Centre. The aim is that the project could begin in 2022. Further funds of over £2 million will see the creation of the assisted living accommodation.
Public meetings on the social and economic problems facing Lockerbie and changes locals want to see in their town. Lockerbie Old School Committee identified the importance of creating new learning, personal and cultural development opportunities. They have showed the need for facilities for new community organisations/businesses to develop and bring key services to the town.
Over the last two to three years we have worked with CHA on this project. If we hadn’t had that partnership we would never have got to where we are at this moment.CHA has transformed a previously derelict housing site into a stylish, modern housing development warmly welcomed by the community. The Lockerbie Old School Committee are excited to be partnering with CHA on our project. Their expertise, community focus and dedication to create positive change are second to none
JACKIE MOFFAT, Chair, Lockerbie Old School (LOS)
(Dryfesdale School Building)
We were absolutely delighted to assist the Lockerbie Old School Committee to with the project. Building new homes, regenerating communities and helping to build new futures for people and communities. That’s what we are all about. Working together is key to the ongoing regeneration of Lockerbie. We are fortunate to have future-looking partners in Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Lockerbie Old School Board. They are both committed to making their communities better places.FRANK SWEENEY, Group CEO, Cunninghame Housing Association
We are seeing the launch of an exciting redevelopment of The Old School. Now we have two really exciting development sites for the Lockerbie Area, and I am very pleased to have played a part in thatDAVID MUNDELL, MP Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweedale
To keep up with all project news and information please visit the Lockerbie Old School website.
The area of the old Lockerbie Academy was bought by the Association in 2018. We built a total of 45 reasonable new homes. Works started in June 2020. New tenant’s started moving into finished homes from June 2021 with full area finished in September 2021.
We built143 homes finished under our Dumfries & Galloway Regeneration and another 273 are under construction. Another 169 extra homes are in the works. We are also supporting local communities to deliver a number of goals.
It’s really important to see these 45 houses here in Lockerbie. Cunninghame came in about four or five years ago to Dumfries and Galloway. They’ve proved what they said they would do; they would deliver and they have delivered.Cllr ARCHIE DRYBURGH MBE, Dumfries & Galloway Housing Convener
As well as building 45 reasonable new build homes in Lockerbie, the project created social benefits for Lockerbie.
70% of the project work was by local suppliers.
Stressing C.H.A’s mission to be More Than Just a Landlord: Making Our Communities Better Places; the project also created jobs.
Our approach makes sure reasonable priced housing and social inclusion are effectively linked. Housing construction and maintenance spend are important drivers in disadvantaged local economies. At C.H.A we believe we go beyond this to act as a community anchor. We deliver new homes, create training and employment opportunities, tackle fuel poverty and offer financial support. We develop community assets and infrastructure to support regeneration and social enterprise as part of our Dumfries & Galloway Regeneration.
We believe we are More Than Just A Landlord.
It’s a great day for Lockerbie in my view. We’ve seen the old secondary school redeveloped with 45 new houses by Cunninghame Housing – great homes for everyone. They are available to rent on what was an ugly area.DAVID MUNDELL, MP Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweedale
Lockerbie PRIMARY SCHOOL
We gave £10,000 to Lockerbie Primary School Parents and Carers Council to support the Inclusive Play Park and Learning Garden. Working together consists of the Parents Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, AMEY. They developed and run the Academy Campus, and Ashleigh Construction.
The first phase of the project will see a 6m Octagonal Gazebo type outdoor classroom. The first play equipment are a 6 seater swing, trampoline and round-a-bout, all of which are wheelchair friendly. The project will give a chance for young people within the school to learn through play.
We have helped the Parent and Carers Council to secure £20,000 from the Holywood Trust. Another £20000 from Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Company and £4000 from Muirhall Energy. The first area of the playpark is due to be finished during the Summer of 2021.
We run our Making Our Communities Better Places Fund in both Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. These are open to all community-based organisations and people. You can ask for funds to support local projects and to help people meet their dreams and better their skills. In the last 2 years we’ve awarded £20,000 to 13 organisations within our Dumfries and Galloway Regeneration.
- Annandale Community Transport Services - £1000
- Black & Gold Foundation - £1000
- Kates Kitchen - £1000
- The Little Changes Programme - £1000
- Annan Christmas Lights - £1000
- Annan Christmas Displays - £1000
- We donated £1000 towards the running costs of Annandale Community Transport Services. They give transport to hospital appointments in Dumfries, Glasgow and Edinburgh for elderly local residents referred for specialist treatments.
- The Black and Gold Foundation received £1000 towards equipment for Annan Athletic Community Coaching. They can deliver weekly football coaching sessions for 210 children and young people aged 4 to 16.
- Kates Kitchen received £1000 to give flooring, tables, chairs and equipment in their new premises in Annan. They give hot meals, a social setting and a range of benefit, debt and housing advice to vulnerable local residents.
- We supported the Little Changes programme delivered by Gretna FC 2008 by donating £1000. They give children sports and fitness activities and dietary information to prevent idle lifestyles and poor nutrition among children.
- Annan Christmas Lights received £1000 to assist with Christmas light displays in the Town, and a further award of £1000.
We operate our Making Our Communities Better Places Fund in both Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. These are open to all community-based organisations and individuals to request funding to support local projects and to help individuals meet their aspirations and develop their skills. In the last 2 years we’ve awarded £20,000 to 13 organisations within our remit of Dumfries and Galloway Regeneration.
- Annandale Community Transport Services - £1000
- Black & Gold Foundation - £1000
- Kates Kitchen - £1000
- The Little Changes Programme - £1000
- Annan Christmas Lights - £1000
- Annan Christmas Displays - £1000
- We donated £1000 towards the running costs of Annandale Community Transport Services, a registered charity who provide door to door transport to hospital appointments in Dumfries, Glasgow and Edinburgh for mainly elderly local residents referred for specialist treatments.
- The Black and Gold Foundation received £1000 towards equipment for Annan Athletic Community Coaching scheme to deliver weekly football coaching sessions for 210 children and young people aged 4 to 16.
- Kates Kitchen received £1000 to provide flooring, tables, chairs and equipment in their new premises in Annan where they provide hot meals, social interaction and a range of benefit, debt and housing advice to vulnerable local residents.
- We supported the Little Changes programme delivered by Gretna FC 2008 who used our £1000 contribution to provide primary school children with sports and fitness activity and dietary information to order to prevent sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition amongst young children.
- Annan Christmas Lights received £1000 in 2019 to assist in provision of Christmas light displays in the Town, and a further award of £1000 in 2021
