Tag: Blindwells

New town centre plans unveiled for East Lothian’s Blindwells 

Ambitious plans to develop a mixed-use centre at the heart of East Lothian’s new town, Blindwells, including more affordable homes, have been submitted for approval.

The project proposals, led by regeneration and property development specialist Hargreaves Land, could see new shops, offices, restaurants, supermarket and business space all constructed on 5 acres at Blindwells.

Included in the plans are sixty affordable apartments overlooking the newly created Princes Loch.  Also proposed are a new wellbeing centre, care home, gym and community space as part of ambitious plans to create a sustainable and pedestrian friendly town centre.

Extra bus stops, active travel paths and electrical vehicle (EV) charge points are also proposed, supporting the principles of a ‘20-minute neighbourhood’. This approach is based around creating communities to allow residents to meet their daily requirements within a few minutes’ walk of their front doors and includes access to sustainable modes of travel.

Hargreaves Land, which is working with planning and development consultants Turley and EMA architects to bring forward its plans, expects the move will create a ‘vibrant and bustling’ new centre at the heart of Blindwells, delivering a significant economic boost for the local area in the process.

This includes hundreds of jobs in the construction, supply chain, and local services sectors, which could all follow if the latest phase of development gets the green light from East Lothian Council which is anticipated early in the new year.

Onsite construction work could start as early as mid-2024.

Jonathan Graham, senior development surveyor at Hargreaves Land, said: “Our ambitious plans mark another exciting chapter in the Blindwells story. We are investing for the future, building a town centre that will create a new destination and an exciting sense of place for residents, adding to their overall wellbeing and living experience.

“We’re also working with our partners to deliver much needed affordable homes, ensuring schemes like this one are a welcome addition to local communities and contribute towards providing high quality housing for people in places where they want to live.”

Kate Donald, director at Turley, said: “We’re proud to provide ongoing support to Hargreaves Land to help them deliver exciting plans for Blindwells. This latest application will see the creation of a vibrant town centre which will provide key amenities to the wider new community that is being created.”

Hargreaves Land is the developer behind the regeneration of Blindwells, which lies between Tranent, Cockenzie and Port Seton and has been earmarked for new housing for more than a decade as part of the regeneration of one of Scotland’s former coalfields. 

Over 150 new homes are already occupied with housebuilders Persimmon, Bellway and Ogilvie all currently active at Blindwells, with Hadden Homes and Avant Homes also proposing to commence onsite in the new year.

Work set to commence on next phase of homes at Blindwells

The latest housebuilder to acquire development land after securing planning permission for new homes at Blindwells will start on site this month, with the first properties expected to be available Spring 2023.

Stirling-based housebuilder Ogilvie Homes, part of the Ogilvie Group, will deliver 77 homes, including 23 affordable properties, at the New Town located to the east of Prestonpans in East Lothian.

In September, East Lothian Council granted planning permission for the £17m scheme which is to be developed on a 4.5-acre plot at the north-west of the Blindwells site.

Ogilvie’s development will comprise of a mix of two, three and four bedroomed residential properties available for private sale, as well as a range of two and three bedroomed homes for social rent.

Bruce Lindsay, development director at Hargreaves Land, said Ogilvie’s development marks the next ‘exciting’ phase of the site’s overall long-term regeneration. “This is excellent news and a welcome addition for local housing stock, particularly the availability of more affordable accommodation.

“Ogilvie are committed to creating a development that will meet community needs and deliver exceptional high-quality homes for East Lothian. This exciting phase in the Blindwells regeneration story marks another chapter of positive change to this part of Scotland.”

The project will see the construction of detached, semi-detached and terraced 2-storey properties. Ogilvie will also construct four two-bedroom cottage flats as part of the affordable element of the scheme.

Ogilvie will join Bellway, Persimmon and Cruden Homes on site at Blindwells which has planning consent for 1,600 new homes and proposals which include education facilities, a healthcare hub, and local retail outlets.

Julie Leece, head of land at Ogilvie Homes, said: “We’re delighted that planning permission was granted last month and look forward to bringing our plans for Blindwells to fruition.

“Our development will deliver much needed quality homes within the wider masterplanstrategy, contributing significantly to meeting local housing needs and creating a strong sense of community.”

Part of the £200 million turnover Ogilvie Group, Ogilvie Homes is one of Scotland’s fastest growing house builders with current sales of £53m and developments in Boness, Crieff, Plean and West Kinfauns among other sites. The company offers new homes and social housing properties that combine exterior character with interior spaciousness and high levels of craftsmanship.

Real estate consultancy firm JLL is acting as the residential land agent for Blindwells and handled the sale of Plot 11 on behalf of Hargreaves Land.

Latest residential development plot launched at Blindwells

A new residential development opportunity has been launched at Blindwells, the East Lothian scheme which is on course to deliver a community of 1,600 homes as well as employment land and a new town centre

Plot 4a is being marketed by the Edinburgh office of JLL on behalf of Blindwells’ creator, Hargreaves Land.

Planning permission in principle has been granted for residential purposes on the 7.2 acre site and a development of c.140 properties is proposed. Adjacent to a plot earmarked for business use, as well as what will become the new town centre, plot 4a lies in a raised area with views over the Firth of Forth, making it a highly appealing opportunity for the right development partner.

A number of other housebuilders are already on site and the first Blindwells residents moved in at the start of the year. Bellway is in the process of completing 146 homes and Cruden is due to finish the final phase of 60 affordable homes later this summer for East Lothian Council. Ogilvie Homes is expected to commence construction of 77 properties before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, work by Persimmon Homes is progressing towards the creation of 197 homes including 30 which will be classified affordable.

The new opportunity follows three planning approvals by East Lothian Council Planning Committee in June, allowing Hargreaves Land to press ahead and progress major parts of the site infrastructure.

Once complete, the town centre, which will feature a car-free high street with shops, cafes and a supermarket, will provide a 21st century quality of life with modern touches flanked by open areas of natural beauty, including Princes Loch and community green space.

Jonathan Graham, development surveyor at Hargreaves Land said: “Our vision for Blindwells is rapidly taking shape and we’re excited to be looking for a housebuilder to bring yet another plot to life.

“The indicative layout earmarked for this plot has a mix of two, three and four bedroom houses, plus two apartment blocks, and we expect a lot of interest.”

Jason Hogg, director at JLL, added: “Less than 15 minutes from Edinburgh Waverley station, Blindwells will further add to the excellent quality of life already on offer in East Lothian, with outstanding beaches, coastal towns and villages, walking routes, world class golf courses and restaurants all within easy reach.

“Crucial to its creation are the many respected construction partners involved in giving the scheme a varied selection of house types, all offering an impeccable standard of living, and we look forward to talking to interested parties in the weeks ahead in regard to this latest plot.”

Work begins on Persimmon’s The Earls development in East Lothian

One of Scotland’s leading housebuilders has started work on a £28 million housing development in Blindwells, East Lothian.

Foundation and groundworks are underway on The Earls development being delivered by Persimmon Homes.

A mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes as well as 12 apartments will make up the 197 properties on the site which received planning permission in September last year. Of those, 30 homes will be transferred to a provider of social housing. 

Situated between Prestonpans, Cockenzie and Tranent, The Earls forms part of the overall Blindwells New Town masterplan of the 390-acre former opencast mine site being delivered by Hargreaves Land. 

Alongside 1,600 much needed new homes, the New Town masterplan will also see construction of a new primary school and other community facilities and amenities in the area.

Neil Parry, managing director at Persimmon Homes East Scotland, confirmed: “Breaking ground at The Earls is just the start of this exciting new development which will provide a range of high-quality homes that we are confident will meet the needs of the East Lothian property market and create jobs for local people.

“Since our signage was erected we have received a high volume of enquiries for our new homes.  This is testament to the desire to live in this new, and what will be an amazing community to live in. We look forward to our first legal completions towards the end of 2022.”

Bruce Lindsay, development director at Hargreaves Land, said: “Hargreaves are delighted to welcome Persimmon to Blindwells and look forward to seeing the new housing being delivered as part of this exciting New Town development.”

The Earls is ideally placed close to excellent transport links, just off the A1, close to beautiful east coast beaches and golf courses. 

To be among the first to secure a home in an emerging new community buyers can visit www.persimmonhomes.com or call the marketing suite on 0187 544 0562.

Founded in 1972, Persimmon Homes is one of the UK’s leading 5 star housebuilders. With headquarters in York, the Group operates from 31 regional offices throughout the UK, trading under the brand names of Persimmon Homes, Charles Church and Westbury Partnerships, building quality homes across England, Wales and Scotland. 

The company directly employs more than 5,000 people and supports around 86,000 jobs in the construction sector. Persimmon is proud to be an accredited Living Wage Foundation employer.