Darnick Street

McTaggart delivered 136 affordable homes in Royston, Glasgow, on behalf of Swan Group and Thriving Investments, bringing much-needed housing to one of the city's most underserved communities. The scheme comprises 50 two-bedroom flats in a four-storey block of five stairwells, and 86 houses across 28 blocks, ranging from two to three bedrooms.

Every home was built using offsite-manufactured timber frame construction, delivering enhanced thermal performance, reduced on-site risk, and a faster build programme. All 136 units are available for affordable rent through Thriving Investments, part of the Places for People Group.

The Darnick Street site presented a formidable set of challenges. The ground was a former inert landfill, bounded on two sides by active railway lines, with vehicle access restricted to a single point on Royston Road due to a low bridge at Darnick Street. Before construction could begin, full soil remediation was required - managed in coordination with Mason Evans, with excavation, validation, and backfill works carefully sequenced. Garden areas and substructures were built using certified imported materials with compliant pressure relief stone and gas membranes throughout. The most significant challenge was a power supply delay. Protracted legal negotiations over the on-site substation created an 11-month standstill in electrical connections. McTaggart responded by installing dry electrical connections to allow gas and water works to proceed simultaneously, while prioritising all external finishes and landscaping. Once the substation was energised in early 2025, internal labour was accelerated to recover the programme. Final completion landed just two weeks beyond the original contractual date.

McTaggart maintained monthly site meetings with the client team, supported by formal contractor reports issued in advance of each meeting. Communication was maintained consistently with both Thriving Investments and Places for People to align delivery milestones throughout the programme. Unit handovers began in May 2025 following energisation, enabling Thriving Investments to begin placing tenants ahead of full project completion, maximising early value for the client.

McTaggart chose to invest in the Royston community throughout the project , none of the following was a contractual requirement.

• Supplied materials to Royston Nursery and welcomed pupils for a site visit
• Produced bespoke tenant welcome packs for all incoming residents, covering local amenities, transport, and community services
• Hosted a dedicated learning day at the site for HND Civil Engineering students from Glasgow Kelvin College

All 136 homes were constructed using offsite-manufactured timber frames from Tod Timber - a deliberate choice that improved speed, on-site safety, and thermal performance across the development. The approach reduces construction waste, shortens the build programme, and delivers a more consistent finish than traditional methods. The development was delivered to Silver Aspect Level 7 standard, with all detailing reviewed for compliance and best value. Facing brick facades, pitched roofs, and private gardens for the houses give the development a traditional residential character that sits well in the Royston streetscape.

Despite an 11-month programme disruption beyond McTaggart's control, the project was completed just two weeks beyond the original contractual date,  a direct result of proactive sequencing, dry connection strategy, and accelerated internal works once power was restored. Thriving Investments received phased handovers from May 2025, enabling early tenant occupation and immediate rental income ahead of full project completion. McTaggart also delivered a programme of community engagement entirely outside the contract scope: materials and a site visit for Royston Nursery, bespoke tenant welcome packs for all residents, and a learning day for Glasgow Kelvin College civil engineering students.