Tag: housing

Social Bite’s reopened Granton Village illustrates alternative building solutions are key to solving UK housing crisis 

Today (29th June), homelessness charity Social Bite celebrated the re-opening of its Village at its new location on Granton Waterfront. This move serves as a clear proof-of-concept of the charity’s innovative model which encourages the implementation of modular housing and communities on unused, derelict land as an impactful and cost-effective solution to addressing the UK housing crisis.

The opening marks a re-location and expansion of the previous Edinburgh Social Bite Village, just five minutes away, to a local piece of land surrounded by greenery and a view of the Firth of Forth.

The opening is a landmark moment for the charity. Beyond providing new and refreshed quality homes for its residents, it underlines how uniquely agile, and adaptable, its Village Model concept truly is. 

The Village will continue to be run in partnership with Cyrenians, and will benefit from six new pre-built houses, while the existing ten houses will receive a refresh.

The new Granton Waterfront location will become home to 15 people who have been affected by homelessness – whether that be in B&Bs, temporary accommodation, sofa surfing, living on the streets, or one of the many other ‘unseen’ forms of homelessness faced by so many.

The Village is a real-life example of a scalable and adaptable blueprint for making fast and impactful changes to people who are experiencing homelessness. By committing to investing in this concept with Social Bite, policy makers and councils can make great in-roads to improving the housing crisis in their areas and make effective change for the thousands of people who have found themselves struggling for safe and secure housing in the UK.

In the coming months, six new residents will join the welcoming, supportive community. They will each receive a key to their own fully equipped home, complete with a self-contained kitchenette, bathroom, and living space. The remaining ten houses, relocated from the previous Social Bite Village site, will be occupied by residents and volunteers transitioning from the original site. 

It has been a momentous couple of months for the charity, which recently gained celebrity backing from George Clooney, Bob Geldof and Rob Brydon for its call for UK-wide local authorities to adopt the Social Bite Village model to end homelessness.

Social Bite also recently opened Harriet Gardens in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council and The Salvation Army, and has had great success so far with support from the local community and councillors, and 15 residents moving into the beautiful site.

The beneficial impact on residents who live in The Village is evident. Before moving location, the previous Edinburgh Village saw around 100 people enjoying life at the Village, with many moving on to their own homes, gaining employment and thriving within their own networks.

One of those residents was Jayne. Jayne lived in the Granton Village for two years and has since moved out to her own flat. Since leaving, she has kept in good contact with the friends she made during her time there. 

She said: “My time at the Edinburgh Village was amazing. I was staying in homeless hostels and B&Bs after my mum died and it was stressful moving each week. There were rules and curfews with no visitors allowed, so it was lonely. I was glad to get a referral to the Village and I moved in quickly.

“I recently left the Village to go to my own flat after two years of bidding for one. It’s been great and I got a cat the same day! The Village helped me in loads of ways – from one-on-ones with a key worker to learning to ride a bike.

“I built a friend group which knows me well and I can count on to support me. The community aspect of the Village is the thing I loved the most.”

Founder of Social Bite, Josh Littlejohn MBE, said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to open our brand-new Village site, in this stunning waterfront location. The Village model is about more than putting a roof over people’s heads – it’s about building a beautiful, supportive community that restores hope and dignity.

“Our new Granton Waterfront Village is a real flagship for this model, and I think it sets an example of how homelessness accommodation can be done differently. Thanks so much to all of the brilliant partners who helped bring the project to life. Looking ahead, we look forward to working with other councils to create Social Bite Village projects throughout the UK.”

Fellow homelessness charity, Cyrenians, will continue to manage the day-to-day running of the Village, providing on-site, wraparound support for all residents. Cyrenians operates a unique model of residential support where people who have either experienced or have been at risk of homelessness live alongside peer volunteers with support from an experienced professional staff team.

Kate Wallace, Chief Executive at Cyrenians, said: “Today marks a new chapter for Edinburgh’s Social Bite Village as we move to a brand new location, with new buildings and space to help even more people.

“Over the last eight years, Cyrenians has worked with Social Bite to provide support for the residents of the Village – a unique model that doesn’t just house people, but supports them to thrive.

“Taking over from Ewan Aitken as the new Chief Executive of Cyrenians, I am excited to continue our successful partnership, working together to create a world where supported housing like this is available to all those who need it.”

The build of the Granton Waterfront Village was carried out by construction partners including Advance and GSS Developments, whose generosity, expertise and commitment to the movement to end homelessness will ensure residents enjoy a top-quality Village site for years to come.

M&G generously supported the new community hub building through their Empty Spaces coalition with Habitat for Humanity.

Work on the community garden at the bottom of the site will begin with the help of residents once they have moved in. Social Bite is seeking funding to help make this possible. If you would like to donate please visit, Social-Bite.co.uk/donate.

If you are a council member considering a Social Bite Village for your local authority, please get in contact via Social Bite’s website.

First Homes Fund opens

First time buyers encouraged to apply

Up to 2,000 households could be supported to make their step on to the property ladder in the first 100 days of this Government through the First Homes Fund.

The first phase of the shared-equity scheme, which offers first-time buyers a £10,000 contribution towards a deposit, is now open. Over the course of this Parliament it is expected around 50,000 households will benefit from the £500 million scheme.

The deposit contribution can made used to buy any property with a value of up to £300,000.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We know how hard it is to get that first foot on the property ladder and the opening of this fund is a direct response to stories I have heard from so many people who are keen to buy their first home.

“The First Homes Fund is part of a broader programme of action, supported by a record £4.9 billion investment in affordable housing over the next four years.

“We promised to act to make life easier for many and fairer for all and, through the First Homes Fund, we are delivering on that promise.”

Homes for Scotland (HFS) Chief Executive Jane Wood said: “Reintroducing the First Home Fund was a key HFS ask ahead of the election, so we welcome this important step from the Scottish Government.

“Supporting First Time Buyers is essential, not only in helping to address Scotland’s existing housing need, with 693,000 households affected, but also in stimulating wider socio-economic growth across the country by unlocking investment confidence across the sector, particularly in areas where development viability can be more marginal and help increasing delivery of housing of all tenures where it is needed most.

“HFS is ready to help support the efficient delivery of the Fund so that all stakeholders, particularly those young people buying their first home, are ready and prepared for the launch of the scheme.”

New homes released in one of East Lothian’s most desirable coastal communities

Homebuyers seeking a coastal lifestyle within easy reach of Edinburgh have a fresh opportunity to secure a home in one of East Lothian’s most sought-after locations, as Cruden Homes releases 14 new properties at its award-winning Longniddry Village development.

With prices starting from £240,000, the latest release includes a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, two bedroom bungalows, three-bedroom terraced homes and the last chance to buy four-bedroom family homes.

Located in the heart of Longniddry, one of East Lothian’s most desirable villages, the development combines the charm of coastal living with excellent transport connections and everyday convenience.

Residents benefit from easy access to beaches, woodland walks, golf courses, local shops and schools, while Edinburgh city centre can be reached in under 20 minutes by train.

The newly released homes include the four-bedroom Hamilton A and Huntington house types, alongside a range of other properties designed to meet the needs of a diverse range of buyers.

Each home has been thoughtfully designed to offer modern, energy-efficient living, complemented by green spaces and a strong sense of community.

Hazel Davies, Sales and Marketing Director at Cruden Homes, said: “Longniddry Village offers an exceptional lifestyle, combining the benefits of coastal village living with fantastic connections to Edinburgh and the wider East Lothian area.

“We’ve seen consistently strong demand from people attracted by the area’s natural beauty, strong community spirit and excellent local amenities. This latest release provides further opportunities for buyers at different stages of life, whether they’re purchasing their first home, looking for more space for a growing family or seeking to downsize without compromising on quality or location.”

Longniddry Village forms part of a wider vision to create a sustainable and connected community, with high-quality homes, landscaped public spaces and pedestrian-friendly routes that encourage active travel and outdoor living.

For more information on the latest release, visit www.cruden.co.uk or contact the sales team on 01875 666002. Showhomes are open Thursday to Monday, 10am-5pm.

Have you say on Council’s Housing Allocation Policy

Housing Allocation Policy Consultation now live @Edinburgh_CC

The city council is seeking your views on its current Lettings Policy.

Your opinions will help to shape future allocations policies in the city.

To have your say, visit:

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/allocations-policy/

The consultation closes on 8th July.

Councillors approve programme for first year of multi-million housing investment

Councillors have agreed a programme for this financial year to spend more than £207m on improving and expanding council housing across the city.

On Monday (1 June) members of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee approved the 2026/27 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programme for investment, which is part of the Housing Revenue Account Budget Strategy 2026/27 to 2035/36.

The programme includes a commitment of over £111m for housebuilding in 2026-27, contributing to the development of around 4275 new affordable houses over the next 5 years. This is the first year of a major intervention to address the housing emergency through the allocation of a total £1.3 billion to deliver settled homes over five years.

Amongst the housebuilding projects being progressed under the programme are: the design of homes to replace Oxcars Court and Inchmickery Court; new developments at Murrayburn, Greendykes, Burdiehouse and Powderhall; and neighbourhood redevelopment at Granton Waterfront.

The budget is inclusive of £18.3m allotted to acquiring homes from private developers to help boost settled accommodation while £2.5m will be spent bringing empty homes up to a lettable standard.

Almost £70m will support improvements across the city’s high-rise blocks, from significant refurbishment as part of the Council’s retrofit programme to fire safety improvements and window replacements, while £45m is allocated for investment in the Low-Rise estate. This will focus on essential upgrades to kitchens, bathrooms and windows alongside repairs and energy efficiency works as part of Mixed Tenure improvement work.

Councillor Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “In 2023 we became the first city in Scotland to declare a Housing Emergency and we’re still committed to tackling this head-on. The Housing Revenue Account investment programme demonstrates our dedication through a range of ambitious projects to boost our housing stock and improve the standards of our existing estate.

“Like cities and towns across the country we’re facing huge challenges in terms of housing shortages, the cost of living and a rising population. By investing wisely I’m confident that we can and will lessen the impact of these issues and make sure everyone has a safe place to live.”

An additional report to Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee, Housing Delivery Strategy – Update, provides further information on the housebuilding programme.

New showhome launches at West Craigs Green in Edinburgh

A striking new multi-level pop-up showhome has launched at Cruden Homes’ West Craigs Green development in Edinburgh, giving buyers their first chance to step inside the highly anticipated four-bedroom Snowdrop townhouse.

Designed across three levels to reflect the way modern families live today, the newly unveiled showhome highlights flexible living, contemporary interiors and adaptable spaces for entertaining, working from home and multi-generational living.

The four-bedroom end-terrace Snowdrop townhouse has been carefully designed to create a natural rhythm between entertaining areas, quieter retreats and everyday family life, allowing each part of the home to evolve around changing lifestyles and routines. 

At the heart of the home is a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area with direct access to the private rear garden, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living.

Across the upper floors, the property features four bedrooms, a family bathroom and en-suite, while one room has been styled as a flexible second lounge and guest space to demonstrate how buyers can personalise the layout to suit their own needs, whether for home working, growing families or visiting guests.

The interiors, designed by Get Fully Furnished, take inspiration from the natural surroundings and green landscape of West Craigs, blending warm neutral tones, muted olive shades and terracotta accents to create a calm and welcoming atmosphere. 

Claire Murray from Get Fully Furnished, said: “We wanted to create interiors that feel warm, relaxed and highly adaptable, while still delivering a strong sense of personality throughout the home.

“Because the home is arranged over three floors, it was important that each level had its distinct character while still feeling cohesive overall. We also wanted to demonstrate how the layout can flex around buyers’ lifestyles over time.” 

Located in west Edinburgh, West Craigs Green forms part of one of the capital’s fastest-growing residential neighbourhoods, close to green space, active travel routes and major transport links, including Edinburgh Airport, the tram network and Edinburgh city centre.

Hazel Davies, Sales and Marketing Director at Cruden Homes, added: “Our new pop-up showhome really captures what buyers are looking for from modern multi-level living, flexibility, space and a layout that works around everyday life.

“The interiors bring a real warmth and personality to the property while showcasing how versatile the homes can be for families, entertaining, home working or simply creating quieter areas to relax.

“The townhouses at West Craigs Green represent excellent value for money, and the launch of the new showhome gives prospective buyers the opportunity to fully experience the quality, layout and lifestyle on offer at the development.”

West Craigs Green features a mix of high quality, energy-efficient villas, townhouses and apartments within one of Edinburgh’s most popular new residential locations.

The sales & marketing suite and show homes are open Thursday to Monday. Book a viewing online today or get in touch by emailing:

westcraigsgreen@crudenhomes.co.uk

or calling 0131 600 0095. 

First Homes Fund open by end of June

50,000 first-time buyers supported in this parliament

The first round of applications for a First Homes Fund will open by the end of June, providing first-time buyers with a £10,000 contribution towards a deposit on their first home.

The shared-equity scheme will be open to all prospective owners looking to make their first step on to the property ladder, with a limit of £300,000 on the value of the property purchased.

It is expected the first phase of the fund will support 2,000 households over the first 100 days of this Government and 50,000 over the course of this Parliament.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing Shirley-Anne Somerville confirmed the scheme’s opening to the Scottish Parliament yesterday.

Ms Somerville said: “For too many people across Scotland, particularly younger people and first-time buyers, home ownership has felt increasingly out of reach. In communities the length and breadth of our nation, we are hearing the same story; people saving what they can but finding that the cost of a deposit is simply too great a barrier.

“That is the context in which this Government will act. This is a direct response to the experience of people across Scotland. We have listened and are taking fast, decisive action.

“The Fund sits within a broader programme of action and supported by a record £4.9 billion investment in affordable housing over the next four years.

“We promised we would support first time buyers and we are delivering.”

S1 Developments unveils first homes at Edinburgh Park’s New Village

A family-run property developer has broken ground on a new residential development in the West of Edinburgh, supported by a £20m funding package from Bank of Scotland.

The New Village, led by Edinburgh-based S1 Developments, will form part of real estate investment group Parabola’s wider multi-million-pound regeneration of Edinburgh Park, creating a new urban neighbourhood alongside commercial and leisure space.

Bank of Scotland’s funding has enabled the commencement of the first phase of properties at The New Village, comprising 146 private homes for sale. The all-electric homes include studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments and mews houses, with views across either a landscaped courtyard or the Pentland Hills.

Residents will have access to the wider amenities and cultural attractions planned for Edinburgh Park, including a multi-sport recreation area, a square with cafes, a children’s play area, offices, an art trail featuring works by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, hotels and Edinburgh’s first indoor arena, the 8,500-capacity AEG Arena. The development is well connected to the city centre and airport by public transport, and is already home to leading independent bakery, Patina

Once complete, S1 Developments will deliver 397 new homes at The New Village, with a further 160 affordable units being delivered in tandem by social enterprise, Places for People. The development will supplement Edinburgh Park’s wider delivery of a further 864 rental properties, including more than 200 proposed mid-market rent homes.

Founded in 2007 by brothers Dan and Shane Teague, S1 Developments has led on several high-profile, mixed-use sites across Scotland’s central belt, including the Ropeworks, Ellersly Road and Temple Park Crescent in Edinburgh.

Dan Teague at S1 Developments, said: “The New Village will be a neighbourhood that places connectivity and quality of life at its heart.

“Every element, from the landscaped green spaces and access to amenities and cultrual attraction, has been carefully considered to create a place where people can feel part of a community.

“Breaking ground on the first homes marks an exciting moment in our collaboration with Parabola to create a vibrant new future for Edinburgh Park.”

Graeme Steel, Relationship Director at Bank of Scotland, added: “This is an important milestone in the transformation of Edinburgh Park.

“The New Village is shaping a new era of residential-led regeneration, delivering quality, sustainable homes alongside the amenities and public spaces needed to support building a thriving community where people want to put down roots.

“We look forward to continuing our support for S1 Developments on a project that will unlock and deliver significant long-term economic and social value for the city, contributing towards much needed housing stock and cementing our ambitions to unlock scalable financial models for regeneration and housing delivery.”

121 affordable homes proposed for former Livingston leisure site

Cruden submits planning to transform former Xcite site 

Five-star housebuilder Cruden has submitted plans for a major new affordable housing development at Almondvale Parkway in Livingston.

The proposals would transform the former Xcite Livingston site into 121 high-quality affordable homes, alongside new landscaping, parking and improved walking and cycling connections through the area.

Located within Livingston town centre, the 1.2-hectare brownfield site was previously home to the popular Bubbles Swimming Pool, which closed in 2023 and was demolished last year. Cruden’s plans would bring the vacant site back into use and create a new residential community in a highly accessible location.

The development includes a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, including retirement housing and wheelchair-accessible homes, helping to meet growing demand for affordable and energy-efficient housing in West Lothian.

Designed with sustainability and connectivity at its core, the plans would retain a large area of mature woodland while introducing additional planting, biodiversity features and new green spaces throughout the site. Enhanced pedestrian links would also improve connections between Almondvale Boulevard, nearby cycle routes and the football stadium beyond.

The homes have been designed to maximise natural light and energy efficiency, with the majority benefiting from south-facing living spaces. The development includes low-carbon technology, including heat pump systems and roof-mounted solar panels.

Demonstrating its continued commitment to West Lothian, Cruden recently completed a 146-home development at Almondvale for West Lothian Housing Partnership, alongside projects at  Sydney Street in Livingston and in East Calder.

Andrew Duncan, Land Director of Cruden, said: “Our plans will transform this prominent brownfield site into a high-quality affordable housing development that will bring new life into this part of Livingston town centre.

“The former Xcite site holds strong memories for many local people, and we want to create a development that delivers lasting benefits for the community through much-needed affordable homes and high-quality green space.

“Environmental considerations have been incorporated into the scheme through measures such as woodland retention, active travel connections, and energy-efficient homes that can help reduce running costs for residents.”

The planning application follows a detailed design and consultation process with West Lothian Council and the local community. Subject to planning approval, Cruden intends to begin work on site in early 2027.

New homes brought to the market following ‘outstanding reinvention’ of historic Edinburgh site

A collection of outstanding and “unapologetically modern” new homes that will transform a historic space in Edinburgh’s South Queensferry landscape are soon to be launched to the market.

The development of Q Gardens, an impressive reinvention of the Georgian Scotstoun House estate, is being carried out by luxury home specialist – AMA New Homes and marries Scottish architectural heritage with breathtaking contemporary design. 

Award-winning architects The Kettle Collective – known for landmark projects across the Middle East, Asia and Africa – have drawn up the plans for these striking new homes which will appeal to buyers searching for statement homes in a leafy garden setting close to the centre of Edinburgh. 

Set in more than two hectares of parkland, the exclusive complex comprises 21 three, four and five-bedroom homes, characterised by fluid living spaces, an abundance of light, a sense of open space and biophilic designs.

Q Gardens sits in the grounds of the former Scotstoun Park House, a grand mansion built in the 1770s, thought to have been originally part of the Rosebery Estate. 

The mansion was demolished in the 1960s after years of neglect and a modernist office block, Scotstoun House, was built in its place designed by influential architect Peter Fogo. The signature of Ove Arup, founder of global engineering firm ARUP, can be found in the concrete alongside the date 1965.

Created around a square floor plan that echoes the size and shape of the neighbouring Georgian walled garden, the B-listed classic building will be converted into four four-bedroom apartments and forms the centrepiece of the project.

Architect Tony Kettle said: “Our task was to convert and revitalise this modernist gem while celebrating the site’s heritage. The original sculpted concrete panels will be retained, while a floating roofline forms a continuous clerestory window beneath, an enduring hallmark of modernist design.

“Our plans set large villas and townhouses within the original mature landscaped setting of Scotstoun House with a central lawn and walled garden. The existing mature trees have been protected and supplemented with extensive new tree planting to create a protected garden setting, a green oasis within South Queensferry.

“The driving design principle behind Q Gardens was to blur the boundaries between inside and out and to bring the residents closer to nature.

“This can be seen in the plans for expansive floor to ceiling windows that link formal dining and living areas to private gardens, creating a seamless flow between the buildings and the verdant surroundings. Additionally, balconies and bedroom views are framed by mature tree canopies. At all times during the design process, we have sought to capitalise on the glorious woodland setting.”

Of particular note is a dramatic extension linking the original Georgian stable block and adjacent cottage with a glazed curtain wall to form a three-bedroom house.

Crafted with minimalist modernist detailing, the luxury development offers the high quality homes associated with AMA. The designs for these elegant residences are thoughtfully arranged around light-filled kitchens with statement extended islands, allowing residents to combine cooking with informal dining and offering both wonderful family rooms and ideal entertaining spaces. 

The homes will feature air source heat pumps, a state-of-the-art mechanical ventilation heat recovery system, high levels of insulation and underfloor heating, providing energy-efficient and environmentally conscious heating systems.

Behnam Afshar, director of AMA, said: “The potential for an extraordinary development at Scotstoun was immediately obvious and we are immensely proud of the way in which we are reinventing this special space. 

“Scotstoun’s heritage gave us an excellent foundation with which to work. We have brought together the site’s heritage and contemporary design to create the blueprint for a truly sustainable development of outstanding, unapologetically modern homes. We believe this will be a striking addition to the city’s prime property portfolio.”

Q Gardens is ideally located just 10 miles west of the centre of Edinburgh with excellent transport connections to the city. It is also close to the motorway network and Edinburgh Airport. South Queensferry is an attractive, historic harbour town which offers a broad range of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, a popular sports centre, a busy marina and primary and secondary schools.

Currently under development, the first homes are expected to complete later this year. 

Available off-plan, prices start from £680,000 for stylish three-bedroom linked villas. The stable conversion is available for offers over £925,000 and the five-bedroom detached villas set in their own garden grounds are for sale for offers over £1.3million.

For more information visit www.amahomes.co.uk.