Town Centre Living

The transformation of a former police station into new homes has been rewarded for its positive impact on a town.

The Eskdale Foundation, which led the project in Langholm, Dumfriesshire, was announced as winner of the Town Centre Living Award at the Scotland Loves Local Awards.

Its success came after judges heard of the hard work and determination of the organisation to bring the building back into use and create good-quality affordable homes.

After being given the chance to buy the Buccleuch Square site – which had lain empty for 12 years – for just £1, the Foundation spearheaded a mission to not just reinvigorate the former station look of the building, but create four new town centre homes.

That work, over a number of years, included raising £600,000 to turn the ambition into reality. 

Fife Council: Through a spirit of collaboration in projects across Kirkcaldy, Cupar and Lochgelly, the authority has both addressed long-standing issues surrounding vacant sites with schemes which have given hope for the future. This has not only brought town centre buildings back into use, but provided affordable homes and supported wider regeneration.

Renfrewshire Council: Through its Vision for Paisley, the council has made the idea of town centre living a vital part of its regeneration, bringing together housing, business and leisure groups to the betterment of the community. The Abbey Quarter development has been central to this, with hundreds of residents moving there in recent years, with work including the redevelopment of a former department store.

Town Centre Living was sponsored by ThreeSixty Architecture