Tag: housebuilders

Breathing Space benches at Cammo Meadows development

Leading homebuilders have unveiled two new Breathing Space benches at a development in Edinburgh

Cala Homes (East) has installed a bench at the Cammo Meadows development to help boost mental health awareness, providing a space for locals and residents to take some time out of their day for a quiet moment of reflection.

A second bench has been installed by David Wilson Homes East Scotland who, alongside Cala Homes (East), have jointly funded the benches.

Cala Homes (East) has placed its bench in a quiet corner, at the western edge of the development, beside a local woodland walk and cycle path to provide picturesque views of the historic Cammo Estate.

An inscribed plaque will clearly display contact information for Breathing Space, a free telephone service which aims to help those in Scotland who are experiencing anxiety, stress or feeling low.

Peter McNamara Site Manager at Cala Homes’ (East) Cammo Meadows development, said: “We are delighted to unveil this Breathing Space bench at Cammo Meadows. The bench will act as a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health, and we hope that residents use it for moments of peaceful reflection.

“Its position beside the Cammo Estate is also something we took into consideration, as it means it’s not just those who live at Cammo Meadows, but also the wider community are able to use the bench, not just those that live within the development. This gives everyone a chance to benefit from this peaceful setting and take some time out.”

Tony McLaren, National Co-ordinator for Breathing Space, said: “The benches we have installed help the spread of positivity, as well as encouraging people to reach out to those who need it most. By adding the plaque with our phone number, we hope to make more people aware of the helpline which is available on weekday evenings and 24 hours at weekends. Those looking to speak to a Breathing Space advisor can call 0800 83 85 87.

“We hope the residents and the whole community at Cammo Meadows and surrounding area are able to enjoy the bench, in this serene and calm setting, and that it has a positive impact on the local community.”

Anne Ross, sales director at David Wilson Homes East Scotland, part of Barratt Developments Scotland, said: “The new Breathing Space bench at our Cammo Meadows development is a welcome addition to the site, providing a space for the local community to relax and find a moment of calm amidst busy schedules.

“Residents and locals experiencing anxiety, stress or who are feeling low can also find contact details for a free telephone service on each bench’s plaque. It might not seem much, but these two small corners of calm are a positive step in supporting and shifting the stigma surrounding mental health.”

To learn more about Cammo Meadows, or to request a viewing, call 0131 5156 4399 or visit: https://www.cala.co.uk/homes-for-sale/scotland/edinburgh/cammo-meadows

To learn more about the portfolio of properties developed by Cala Homes (East), visit www.cala.co.uk/east-of-scotland/  

Over £106m contributed to the economy by Barratt East Scotland

– Housebuilder supports 1,652 jobs, completes 732 new homes and 13.1ha of green space –

Barratt Developments Scotland, which includes Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, has made a substantial contribution of £256.3m to the Scottish economy, with the housebuilder’s East Scotland division supplying £106.9m in GVA itself.

In the year ending 30 June 2021, Barratt East Scotland has also completed 732 new homes of which 144 were affordable and supported 1,652 direct, indirect and induced jobs across the region.

2021 also saw the largest UK housebuilder reinforce its commitment to creating homes for nature as well as people. The business created 13.1ha of public green spaces and private gardens around the region, the equivalent of 19 football pitches, to help support wildlife on and around its sites.

Barratt is working towards reducing its direct carbon emissions by 29% by 2025 and indirect emissions by 24% per square metre by 2030. In the past year, CO2e emissions per 100m.sq. of completed build area fell to 2.25t. across the East Scotland business.

98% of construction waste was also saved from landfill and 26% of new homes were built on previously developed land, up 54% on the previous year.

Alison Condie, managing director for Barratt East Scotland, said: “As the UK’s largest housebuilder, and one of the most sustainable, we place considerable emphasis on supporting people, the environment and generating strong economic growth for the region.

“To have contributed over £106m to the economy and supported over 1,652 jobs is a fantastic achievement and we’re determined to do even better this year.”

As part of its housebuilding activity, Barratt East Scotland has made £5.4m in local contributions to help build new facilities and community infrastructure. This contribution includes the provision of 320 new school places.

More than £19.3m has also been spent on physical works within communities, such as highways, environmental improvements and community facilities.

Other key findings from the Barratt East Scotland 2021 socio-economic report include:

·       Increased support for public services with £23.9m in generated tax revenues

·       Over £36,400 donated to local charitable and community causes

·       284 supplier and 335 sub-contractor companies supported

·       Increased support for the UK supply chain with 90% of all components centrally procured, assembled or manufactured in-country

·       More than £10.7m in retail spending by new residents, helping support 114 retail and service-related jobs

The development of new and future talent remains a key priority for Barratt Developments Scotland and 53 graduates, apprentices and trainees launched their careers with the company in 2021, 15 from the East Scotland Division.

The assessment of Barratt Developments’ performance was carried out by independent consultants Lichfields, who analysed socio-economic impacts through the delivery chain for new housing based on Barratt datasets, published research and national statistics.