A #2.5m housing project in Barrhead town centre, transformed from a

derelict industrial site, was opened officially yesterday by Councillor

Owen Taylor, leader of Renfrew District Council. The development of 49

homes by Barrhead Housing Association was funded largely by Scottish

Homes. It includes 39 houses for rent, eight of which are designed for

older people, and a further 10 houses for low-cost home ownership. These

10 houses are being sold on a shared ownership basis, introducing a new

form of tenure to Barrhead's housing market. Shared ownership allows

people to part-buy and part-rent their home and increase their share of

ownership when personal circumstances allow.