Sanctuary Scotland, a subsidiary of leading UK housing provider Sanctuary Group, has celebrated the completion of the award-winning Ardler Village Project in Dundee.

Last night’s event, at the West Park Conference Centre in Dundee, marked the completion of one of the largest urban regeneration projects in Scotland.

The seven-year project has been run in partnership with Dundee City Council, the Scottish Government (formerly Communities Scotland), contractors, consultants, other partner agencies and members of the Ardler community.

The former council properties and dilapidated tower blocks have been replaced by almost 1,000 high quality new homes, the majority of which are for rent, as well as improved retail and community facilities.

This multi-million pound project has breathed new life into this once tired estate and won major awards, including the British Urban Regeneration Association award for best practice in regeneration.

Gordon Laurie, Director of Sanctuary Scotland, said: “The event was a huge success and people thought it was a very fitting way to mark the completion of the project. It was a lovely opportunity for people who have been involved in the Ardler Village over the years to get together to mark this milestone.

“Ardler has truly undergone a complete transformation and is a place anyone would be proud to call home.”

Around 70 guests attended the celebration, including Professor Kenneth Gibb, Chairperson of Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association and Councillor Kevin Keenan, Administration Leader of Dundee City Council.

Professor Gibb spoke about the “fantastic support” Sanctuary Scotland has received from the Ardler community.

“Without their support and assistance we would not have achieved a fraction of what we have achieved, the results would not have been so positive and Ardler would not be the place it is today.”

Councillor Keenan added: "The people of Ardler have real reason for celebration because this area has been transformed in a relatively short space of time.”

Also attending the event were members of the Ardler Village Trust, which was set up by Sanctuary Scotland and its partners to promote the social, community and economic regeneration of Ardler.

Bette Gurvan, Chairperson of the trust, read a poem she had written, which celebrated the bright future of Ardler’s residents.