Five-star rating for GHA community

GHA’s Tenant Controlled Housing area – covering Baillieston, Greenfield, Sandyhills and Springboig – scored highest after an assessment carried out in April.

GHA’s partners at Keep Scotland Beautiful looked at foyers and landings, back courts and open spaces, among other things, at high-rise flats and tenements.

And the area scored so highly it earned Keep Scotland Beautiful’s prestigious five-star rating in its National Award for Environmental Excellence.

That’s the first five-star assessment in the city – which means the area is setting an example for other GHA communities to follow.

Pearl Murphy, 83, from Larchgrove Road, has lived in the area since the 1940s – and says she is proud to stay there. Pearl, a retired nurse, said: “To get a five-star review is really good going. I’ve always been proud of Larchgrove, but there’s been a vast improvement in the place.

“There used to be derelict land left to go to waste. Now, the back courts look great, with really nice fenced-off bin areas. Children can go out there and play. Staff are always here cutting the grass and picking up litter – they’ve really helped the area. It’s made a big difference.”

Neighbour Karen Winter added: “It’s a good area. I feel safe here.”

Maura McGregor, GHA’s Locality Director, said: “We’ve worked hard to make sure our area is somewhere tenants are proud of. To get the first five-star review from Keep Scotland Beautiful is the icing on the cake.”

GHA tenants and staff are working with Keep Scotland Beautiful to assess neighbourhoods – and then work out action plans to make areas even better.

To get involved, talk to your housing officer or phone 0141 274 7324.

Pictured above are GHA NETs manager John O’Hara, tenant John Wilson, GHA Chair Bernadette Hewitt, tenant Pearl Murphy, housing officer Joanna McNally and tenant Karen Winter at Larchgrove Road.