A NEW Edinburgh housing development is to provide much needed affordable and modern accommodation for more than 100 people. Fleming Place, the newest addition to Bield’s Scotland-wide portfolio of specialist housing, features 40 apartments for social rent that comprise a mixture of one and two-bedroom flats for people aged 50 and over.
Fleming Place is one of the final phases of the redevelopment of the former NHS Eastern General Hospital positioned in the north-east of Edinburgh, overlooking Craigentinny golf course. A number of the flats also benefit from stunning views across the Firth of Forth, Calton Hill and the world-famous Edinburgh cityscape.
Caryn Innes, Head of Development at Bield, said the completion of Fleming Place has cemented Bield’s ongoing commitment to provide quality housing for older people in Edinburgh.
Although Bield has developed a number of new build developments across key locations in Scotland in the last few years, Fleming Place is the first development in Edinburgh in almost 15 years, which has been achieved through a successful partnership with Edinburgh based J Smart & Company.
Caryn said: “We are delighted that Fleming Place is now ready to see new customers move in after almost two years under construction. This development is a fantastic example of what can be achieved by the private and public sectors working in partnership and will provide superb living spaces for 106 people.
“Fleming Place also provides the first showcase of Bield’s new strategy to create an organisation that is well positioned for the future – and which continues to provide innovative housing solutions to address the needs of the next generation of older people.
“The specification and location reflects the older person housing model that is now in demand; it is fit for now and the future.
“It enables people to continue to live in their local area and to downsize from their family home to a flexible, energy efficient and accessible lifetime home.
“These properties enable people to live independently and provide the security that as their needs change they can continue to live in their home with the increased assistance of digital connectivity through Bield Response 24.
“Developments like this will create a stronger Bield – a Bield which has a range of housing options and services that are attractive and provide greater choice and flexibility and support independent living.”
An overall £4.9 million investment supported the delivery of this development, with a £2.2 million grant contribution from the Scottish Government.
However the quality of design and benefits the development will bring to the area have already been recognised by the industry, with the Scottish Home Awards shortlisting the development in this year’s Small Affordable Housing Development of The Year (Social Rent) category.
The Scottish Home Awards is the country’s largest independent awards programme, promoting excellence in building, design and marketing across the housebuilding industry.
Caryn added: “We are delighted to be nominated for Small Affordable Housing Development of The Year at this year’s Scottish Home Awards, even to be nominated is great recognition.
“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do so their satisfaction is extremely important to us. However, we couldn’t provide the service that we do without our fantastic team of staff and volunteers.
“We are looking forward to the event in June – fingers crossed we can take home the award.”
Tenants at the development will be able to enjoy an array of shops and well-known eateries and the latest films releases at nearby Ocean Terminal, as well as being able to take advantage of the good transport links to the centre of Edinburgh.
As the country’s leading specialist provider of housing for those over the age of 50, Bield has always been at the forefront of developing new property options to support their needs, particularly in areas that are traditionally out with the scope of charities.
This theme, matched with a clear ethos of giving older people greater independence and choice, set against tough financial demands, has seen Bield embark on a new strategy for property development.
For more information on Fleming Place, visit www.bield.co.uk
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