Lockerbie Old School is one of the Dumfries & Galloway Regeneration projects supported by our Community Regeneration Unit and see’s The Association providing project management support to the Lockerbie Old School SCIO to develop proposals and secure funding to refurbish the former Dryfesdale Public Old School building. Erected in 1875 it has been at the heart of the local community for over 140 years and in 1988, during the Lockerbie Disaster, the school building was home to the investigation HQ. The Group acquired the building via an asset transfer from Dumfries and Galloway Council in 2020.
Working in partnership with the Old School Committee and Dumfries & Galloway Council the aim is to create a new Community Wellbeing Centre which will provide exciting new meeting, cultural, training and business space within Lockerbie Town Centre. As part of the development the Association is also developing proposals for 8 residential units for residents with additional support needs which would also be located on the site. We are working together to raise a funding package of more than £4m from a range of public and Trust funders for the new Centre, with the aim that the project could go on site in 2022. Further investment of over £2 million will see the creation of the aforementioned assisted living accomodation.
Public consultations on the social and economic issues facing Lockerbie and the changes local people and businesses want to see in their town carried out by the Lockerbie Old School Committee identified the importance of creating new learning, personal and cultural development opportunities, and facilities for new community organisations and 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 absolutley 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 CHA is all about. Partnership working is the key to the ongoing regeneration of Lockerbie and we are fortunate to have a forward looking partners in Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Lockerbie Old School Board who 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 to date with all project news and information please vist the Lockerbie Old School website frequently.
The site of the old Lockerbie Academy was purchased by the Association in January 2018 delivered a total of 45 affordable new houses and flats for rent. Works commenced in June 2020. New tenant’s started moving into completed homes from June 2021 with full site completion achieved in September 2021.
As well as providing core housing services with 143 properties completed under our Dumfries & Galloway Regeneration and another 273 under construction with a further 169 additional homes in the pipeline, we are also supporting local communities to deliver a number of innovative initiatives.
It’s really important to see these 45 houses come to fruition here in Lockerbie. Cunninghame came in about four or five years ago to Dumfries and Galloway and they’ve basically proved what they said they would do; they would be coming here to deliver and they have delivered, not only here in Lockerbie but in Gretna and Annan as wellCllr ARCHIE DRYBURGH MBE, Dumfries & Galloway Housing Convener
As well as providing 45 affordable new build homes for Lockerbie, the project costs delivered a social benefit for the Town of Lockerbie.
70% of the project work was completed by local suppliers.
Emphasising CHA’s mission to be More Than Just a Landlord: Making Our Communities Better Places; through the main contractor, Ashleigh Construction, the project also created a number of employment opportunities.
Our approach ensures affordable housing and social inclusion are effectively linked. Housing construction and maintenance spend are important drivers in disadvantaged local economies. At CHA we believe we go beyond this to act as a community anchor and champion – delivering new homes, creating training and employment opportunities, tackling fuel poverty, providing financial support and developing 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’re seeing the old secondary school site having been redeveloped with 45 new houses by Cunninghame Housing – great accommodation for people of all ages and backgrounds available to rent on what was an eyesore site.DAVID MUNDELL, MP Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweedale
Lockerbie PRIMARY SCHOOL
In 2021 we provided a £10,000 contribution to the Lockerbie Primary School Parents and Carers Council to support the Inclusive Play Park and Learning Garden project they are developing. Working together the partnership consists of the Parents Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, AMEY who developed and operate the Academy Campus, and Ashleigh Construction.
The first phase of the project will see the installation of a 6m Octagonal Gazebo type outdoor classroom and the first tranche of play equipment including a 6 seater swing, trampoline and roundabout, all of which will be wheelchair accessible. The project will provide increased opportunities for all young people within the school to experience learning through play via accessible outdoor equipment.
In addition to our own funding contribution, we have also assisted the Parent and Carers Council to secure £20,000 from the Holywood Trust, £20000 from Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Company and £4000 from Muirhall Energy. The first phase of the installation of the playpark is due to be completed during the Summer of 2021.
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
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
