New demonstration homes showcase hydrogen appliances which enable households to cook and heat their homes without any carbon emissions
Homes are part of H100 Fife, a world-first green energy project which will see hundreds of households switch from natural gas to hydrogen
Local residents taking part in project can get hands-on experience ahead of appliances being installed in their own homes later this year
Opening marks a major milestone for H100 Fife and Scotland’s net zero ambitions
The First Minister John Swinney has hailed the opening of Scotland’s first hydrogen homes as a ‘shining example’ of how the country is leading the way in solutions to tackle climate change.
The homes are part of gas network company SGN’s H100 Fife project and showcase the potential for hydrogen to reduce carbon emissions in households and businesses across Scotland and the UK.
Located in Levenmouth on Fife’s east coast, the demonstration homes showcase how hydrogen can provide heating and cooking experiences very similar to natural gas. Familiar appliances like gas boilers and hobs are installed in the homes delivering the instant and responsive heat customers are used to, but with zero carbon emissions.
H100 Fife is a world-first green hydrogen project which will see up to 300 households switch to hydrogen for cooking and heating. Residents involved in the trial can now visit the demonstration homes to get hands-on experience ahead of appliances being installed in their own homes later this year.
The First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, opened the homes alongside SGN’s CEO Simon Kilonback and members of the community.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, First Minister John Swinney said: “Scotland’s net zero future depends on our ability to create innovative solutions to tackle climate change; and the H100 Fife project is a shining example of this ambition.
“These demonstration homes offer residents a glimpse of the role that hydrogen can play in delivering warm and comfortable homes with zero carbon emissions.
“I welcome this significant milestone in the project’s journey and look forward to its completion.”
Residents who have signed up for the project and those who live locally1 can visit the homes to see hydrogen boilers and hobs from leading manufacturers Baxi, Worcester Bosch, and Bosch Home Appliances. These are the appliances that will be installed in their own homes later this year.
SGN’s CEO Simon Kilonback said: “SGN is incredibly proud to mark this important milestone for green energy in Scotland with the First Minister. We are working in partnership with the local community and look forward to welcoming them to our demonstration homes.
“We believe H100 Fife can act as a catalyst for regional decarbonisation, positioning Scotland at the forefront of the transition to net zero.
“However, this project is also far more than just a hydrogen for home heating trial and will provide key evidence to support the development of the hydrogen economy, whether that be production, storage, distribution or operations.”
SGN is partnering with Fife College to open the UK’s first hydrogen training facility in the coming months, located just a mile away from the H100 Fife network in the college’s Levenmouth campus.
Existing Gas Safe engineers in the region will be upskilled at the facility on how to fit new hydrogen appliances and connect homes taking part in H100 Fife to the new 8.4km hydrogen network which was completed last year.
During the event, the street on which the newly constructed homes are built was officially named ‘Newhaven Street’2 by students from local school Denbeath Primary, highlighting historic links to nearby Methil docks.
Reacting to the 2023 Scottish House Condition Survey results, Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age said: “The latest statistics released today show that 317,000 older households (37%) were in fuel poverty in Scotland in 2023, with 1 in 4 older households (25%) living in extreme fuel poverty.This is extremely concerning and shows a step change will be required to meet Scotland’s fuel poverty targets.
“As well as this, almost half (49%) of people in later life live in homes with an EPC rating of band D or below. Cold homes are hazardous to health, especially for older people. Every day, our helpline hears from people in later life who are wearing a coat indoors, washing less and skipping meals. In a socially just and wealthy nation no older person should be in fuel poverty.
“While it is welcome that the Scottish Government is working with energy companies to encourage them to put in place social tariffs for financially vulnerable customers, there is more that can be done.
“We’re calling on the Scottish Government to urgently create a strategy to tackle pensioner poverty. With 317,000 older households in fuel poverty, this can’t come soon enough. Today’s figures underscore the need for strategic action to lower bills by improving energy efficiency support and making sure the energy social security older people can access is sufficient.”
Fuel poverty targets were introduced in Scotland through the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act 2019.
Interim targets for 2030 state:
a) no more than 15% of households in Scotland are in fuel poverty,
(b)no more than 5% of households in Scotland are in extreme fuel poverty.
Chancellor continues ‘bold reform’ of the planning system in England to deliver on the Plan for Change
Chancellor reveals new plans for more houses near commuter train stations to kick start economic growth, as government continues its bold reform of the planning system to deliver on the Plan for Change for working people.
Sweeping reforms under the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will take an axe to red tape that slows down approval of infrastructure projects and the government will work with Parliamentarians to ensure a smooth and speedy delivery.
Chancellor highlights in its first six months the government has already taken 13 planning decisions and approved 9 nationally significant infrastructure projects spanning airports, data centres, energy farms, and major housing developments.
Untapped land near commuter transport hubs will be unlocked to build new housing for working people, as part of ‘bold new steps’ to reform the planning system and unlock growth to deliver win-win outcomes for the country and the economy. The reforms will create secure, high-paying jobs and deliver major infrastructure faster to bolster public services and lower bills.
Ahead of the Chancellor’s speech next week on economic growth, the government has today announced how it will go further and faster to deliver Plan for Change milestones of 1.5 million new homes over five years and 150 decisions on major infrastructure projects by the end of the Parliament.
It follows the ambitious reforms unveiled by the Chancellor in July and delivered by the Deputy Prime Minister at the end of last year through publication of the overhauled National Planning Policy Framework.
The government’s next steps on planning reform include streamlining a set of national policies for decision making to guide planning decisions taken by local authorities and promote housebuilding in key areas.
In a major new growth push, the government will ensure that when developers submit an application for acceptable types of schemes in key areas – such as in high potential locations near commuter transport hubs – that the default answer to development is ‘yes’.
This will unlock more housing at a greater density in areas central to local communities, boosting the government’s number one mission to grow the economy. These measures will transform communities, with more shops and homes nearer to the transport hubs that working people rely on day in day out.
As part of these measures, the government will streamline decisions on critical infrastructure projects by slashing red tape in the planning system which is holding up projects. That means looking again at the input from expert bodies who developers are required to consult – and replacing the current systems of environmental assessment to deliver a more effective and streamlined system that reduces costs and delays for developers, whilst still protecting the environment.
The Chancellor also revealed today that she is championing a regeneration project around Old Trafford in Manchester that will see new housing, commercial and public space as a shining example of the bold pro-development model that will drive growth across the region, with authorities exploring setting up a mayoral development corporation body to redevelop the area.
The government is also working with Greater Manchester to release growth-generating land around transport hubs through local development orders, such as around Castleton Station, with the potential for this innovative use of existing powers to kickstart building in these sites to be a blueprint for the rest of the country so that every corner of the UK benefits from growth.
The new proposals tackle the dire inheritance head on. Last year homebuilding fell below 200k and permissions reached their lowest for over a decade, which is why the government is taking radical action necessary to reverse this trend and deliver the homes necessary to reach 1.5 million homes over this Parliament.
This government is turning the page on the decline and decay of the past and choosing growth with a significant number of planning decisions already made by Ministers since July. This includes 13 planning decisions taken by Ministers over 90% of which within the target timeframe, and 9 nationally significant infrastructure projects approved, collectively spanning airports, data centres, solar farms and major housing developments such as the Expansion of London City Airport, a data centre in Buckinghamshire and a new M&S store in Oxford Street, London.
The government has committed to making 150 decisions on these major economic infrastructure applications over this Parliament, more than doubling the decisions made in the previous Parliament and more than 130 made since 2011.
This will unlock the growth necessary to deliver win-win outcomes for the country and the economy – creating stable and high-paying jobs, building more affordable homes, and delivering critical infrastructure faster to bolster public services and lower bills – while improving the environment where it matters most.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said: “I am fighting every single day in our mission to kick start the economy, deliver on our Plan for Change, and make working people better off. That includes avenues that others have shied away from.
“Too often the answer to new development has been “no”. But that is the attitude that has stunted economic growth and left working people worse off. We need to do things differently and that journey began as soon as I started at the Treasury in July. These are our next steps and I can say for certain, there is more to come.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner said: “From day one I have been clear that bold action is needed to remove the blockers who put a chokehold on growth. That’s why we are putting growth at the heart of our planning system.
“Growth means higher wages, better living standards, families raising their children in safer homes, and the next generation taking their first steps onto the housing ladder.
“This year we will go even further to make the dream of homeownership a reality for millions and fix the housing crisis we inherited for good – getting more shovels in the ground to build the homes and vital infrastructure that our communities so desperately need.”
Growth is the number one mission of the Labour Government’s Plan for Change, so we can put more money in people’s pocket. Today the Chancellor is setting out further action on the government’s growth mission by announcing the following:
Planning
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will provide the powers to accelerate the infrastructure and homes needed to deliver on the government’s ambitions – and fast track critical infrastructure such as windfarms, power plants, and major road and rail projects. Today the government is confirming for the first time that the Bill will be introduced in Spring and we will work with Parliamentarians to ensure a smooth and speedy delivery.
Further detail on the Bill is being published today in a working paper on streamlining decisions on nationally significant infrastructure projects, including reducing the burden on developers by making consultation requirements more proportionate, strengthening statutory guidance to ensure they are clear over what is and is not required when submitting planning applications, and ensuring that National Policy Statements are updated at least every five years to give more certainty to developers, speeding up decisions.
Previous working papers have already set out reforms to the operation of planning committees, and an overhaul of the way developers can discharge their environmental obligations so that they can crack on with building.
The Chancellor is today also announcing reform to the statutory consultee system, which requires developers to consult local communities and expert bodies when making planning decisions. This often means too many organisations consulted on too wide a range of issues, clogging up much-needed development.
Today the government has declared a moratorium on any new statutory consultees and the Chancellor and the Deputy Prime Minister will review in the coming weeks the existing arrangements to make sure they meet this Government’s ambitions for growth.
This follows changes announced last week to the rules around challenging major infrastructure projects through the courts – stopping blockers getting in the way of the Government’s Plan for Change and getting nuclear plants, trainlines and windfarms built quicker. Current excessive rules mean unarguable cases can be bought back to the courts three times.
This will be overhauled, with just one attempt at legal challenge for hopeless cases that would previously have caused much more delay.
Environment
The government is also reforming environmental impact assessments, which have strayed from their original purpose of supporting decision making and have become voluminous and costly documents that too often support legal challenges rather than the environment.
They will be replaced by Environmental Outcome Reports which will be simpler and much clearer, which will support growth by saving developers time and money, whilst still protecting the environment. The government will publish a roadmap for the delivery of these new Environment Outcomes Reports in the coming months.
This follows a working paper on development and nature published by the government before Christmas setting out a new approach that will turbocharge the delivery of housing and infrastructure while securing positive environmental outcomes.
Developers will be able to pay into the Nature Restoration Fund which will allow them to discharge relevant environmental obligations for protected sites and species and focus on building, safe in the knowledge that appropriate action will be taken to support nature’s recovery.
Major infrastructure
A working paper is being published setting out the government’s plan for its 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy, which will be focussed on infrastructure’s role in enabling resilient growth, delivering clean energy by 2030 and net zero by 2050 while securing the growth benefits of the transition, and improving public services.
The working paper seeks industry views as part of the government’s continued consultation on the development of the strategy which will be published in late Spring.
Jennie Daly, CEO of Taylor Wimpey said:“We continue to be impressed by the speed with which the government has gripped the need for planning reform to deliver much needed new housing supply. New high-quality housing and the infrastructure it brings are essential drivers of economic growth.
“We welcome the commitment from the government to introduce the Planning and Infrastructure Bill as a priority in the spring, and we look forward to supporting the promised consultation work on reforming the planning system to expedite decisions and overcome local barriers to growth.”
Mark Reynolds, Mace Group Executive Chairman and Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council said:“When the government and the Construction sector work in partnership we can unlock growth of up to 2% of GDP.The simplification and streamlining of the planning system is a significant contributor to this so the announcements today are a welcome development which could deliver £2 billion per year in savings once fully implemented.
“In addition the upcoming publication of the 10 year National Infrastructure Strategy is an opportunity to set out plans for ambitious growth and chart a direction for the industry, instilling confidence in businesses to invest in skills, innovation and deliver profitable growth, we look forward to contributing to its success.”
Neil Jefferson, CEO of Home Builders Federations said:“Identifying more land for development and removing the treacle from the planning process that delays applications is essential if we are to increase housing supply.
“The swift moves to address these blocks in the planning system are very welcome and will pay dividends if the other constraints on housing supply can be tackled. Housing delivery is dependent upon a range of factors, of which planning is a major one, and these changes underline the government’s commitment to increasing supply.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “With our devolved powers we’re mobilising the whole Greater Manchester system to lock in growth for the next decade and reap the rewards for our city-region and UK plc.
“The project around Old Trafford represents the biggest opportunity for urban regeneration this country has seen since London 2012 and is a key part of our 10-year plan to turbocharge growth across Greater Manchester.
“We look forward working with the Government on moving freight away from the site around Old Trafford to new locations to open up capacity our rail network, and unlock massive regeneration potential – delivering benefits across the whole of the North.”
As part of its ‘relentless focus’ to get Britain building and achieve the ambition to build 1.5 million new homes over five years, the government has already:
Overhauled the National Planning Policy Framework, including new and higher mandatory housebuilding targets for councils, a comprehensive modernisation of the Green Belt, and far greater support for growth-supporting development such as labs and datacentres.
Launched a New Homes Accelerator group to unlock thousands of new homes currently in the planning system.
Published a series of working papers on further reforms to the planning system:
‘brownfield passports’, designed to ensure that where planning proposals meet design and quality standards, the default answer to planning permission is ‘yes’,
development and nature recovery, detailing a new approach for developers to discharge environmental obligations through payment into a Nature Restoration Fund which then allows them to crack on with building,
planning committees, proposing a national scheme of delegation to speed up the approval process and provide greater certainty to developers.
Set up an independent New Towns Taskforce, as part of a long-term vision to create largescale communities of at least 10,000 new homes each.
Awarded £68 million to 54 local councils to unlock housing on brownfield sites.
Awarded £47 million to seven councils to unlock homes stalled by nutrient neutrality rules.
Extended the existing Home Building Fund for this year providing up to £700 million of vital support to SME housebuilders, supporting the delivery of around 12,000 additional homes.
Confirmed that government investment in housing will increase to £5 billion for this year, including an extra £500 million in new funding for the Affordable Homes Programme to deliver tens of thousands of new affordable and social homes across the country.
Prices in November up only 0.8% on an annual basis
Fewer authorities report price rises
Average Scottish house price now – £223,094, 0.6% down on October, up 0.8% annually
Scott Jack, Regional Development Director at Walker Fraser Steele, comments:“Scotland’s housing market has seen a gradual recovery in 2024. While house prices have reached record highs in some areas, overall growth has been modest.November saw a slight dip in average prices, down £1,400 (-0.6%) from October, leaving the average price at £223,000—up just 1% year-on-year.
“Only 11 local authorities recorded rising prices in November, with Angus achieving a new record average price of nearly £199,000. This marks the highest average house price ever recorded in the area. Overall, 19 authorities reported higher prices compared to a year ago, though growth has slowed recently.
“Sales activity remained strong, with an estimated 8,800 transactions in November, 10% higher than the previous year. With the Scottish Fiscal Commission forecasting price growth through 2028/29, the market is expected to strengthen in 2025, though tax policy changes and broader economic trends may influence activity.”
Detailed Housing market commentary
Table 1. Average prices in Scotland year to November 2024
Month
Yearear
Property Price
Index
Monthly % change
Annual % change
Nov
2023
£221,272
289.8
-0.1
0.0
Dec
2023
£220,389
288.6
-0.4
-0.5
Jan
2024
£220,377
288.6
0.0
0.0
Feb
2024
£220,333
288.6
0.0
0.6
Mar
2024
£222,345
291.2
0.9
2.0
Apr
2024
£224,828
294.5
1.1
2.8
May
2024
£225,503
295.3
0.3
2.4
Jun
2024
£224,715
294.3
-0.3
1.7
Jul
2024
£224,536
294.1
-0.1
1.6
Aug
2024
£225,450
295.3
0.4
2.0
Sep
2024
£225,599
295.5
0.1
1.8
Oct
2024
£224,450
294.0
-0.5
1.4
Nov
2024
£223,094
292.2
-0.6
0.8
Scotland’s housing market has experienced a somewhat unusual recovery in 2024. While house prices nationally have hit fresh record highs on several occasions, the overall pace of recovery of house prices in this country has been modest, impacted by earlier cost-of-living pressures and higher mortgages rates on household budgets.
Figure 1. Year-on-year price gains drift lower
Despite a continuing recovery in sales activity, prices in November fell back by nearly £1,400 (0.6%) compared with October. Following a similar fall in October, average prices now stand a little over £223,000 and are barely 1% higher than a year ago (see Figure 1).
Note: Lines shaded in darker blue reflect cases where Local Authority or Scotland prices reached record highs this month.
Market conditions across Scotland appear to have softened recently. In November only 11 local authorities recorded rising prices in the month while 21 reported price falls.
Angus was the only local authority to set a new market high – nearly £199,000 – in November (see Table 2). Numerous authorities have hit fresh peaks over 2024 and remain within touching distance of them now, whilst Perth and Kinross, where average prices are more than £254,000, is close to topping its previous high set in 2022.
Figure 2. How prices have changed year to November 2004, by local authority
As can be seen from the heat map, a majority of local authorities (19) continue to report stronger prices than a year ago. That said, the net balance of those doing so is noticeably less compelling than we have seen over the past six months or so.
Among the “risers”, six reported price increases of at least 5% over the year. Among these, Inverclyde merits a mention for continuing the strong performance that it began at the start of 2024. At the other end of the spectrum, Na h-Eileanan Siar (formerly Western Isles) which has shown year-on-year weakness since mid-year shared the mantle of significant “faller” with several other authorities in November, e.g., Shetland down -7.3% while in contrast Orkney was up 8.5%.
Transactions analysis
Although we do not yet have the final numbers for October and November, with property sales for the two months not yet fully logged by Registers of Scotland, it is clear that November was another strong month for sales.
Figure 3. Monthly sales over the most recent 12 months compared with a year earlier Note: Figures for latest two months are Acadata estimates
We estimate that there were about 8,800 sales in the month, about 10% higher than a year ago (see Figure 3). Sales activity has in fact outpaced that of a year earlier in eight of the 11 months of 2024 for which we have data, with cumulative sales for the January-November period tracking 6% above the same period of 2023.
Meanwhile, as Figure 4 shows, sales in the capital and sales of properties worth more than £750,000 (that is, subject to the highest rates of LBTT) continue to be significantly ahead of their corresponding 2023 numbers. Even with incomplete figures for October and November, reported sales of such properties already exceed the full-year 2023 outturns.
Figure 4. Monthly sales in 2023 and 2024, Edinburgh and homes over £750,000
Note: Vertical bars show 2023 sales and horizontal markers show 2024 sales. Figures for October and November 2024 have been greyed out because they are likely to be revised upwards when final Registers of Scotland figures are available.
Despite the somewhat lacklustre year for the housing market it was much better than had been expected by the Scottish Fiscal Commission who had forecast a fall in prices, somewhat akin to many analysts’ views of what might happen south of the border. The RICS housing market survey for Scotland in November was altogether quite positive with agreed sales higher and price and sales expectations up. The general positivity no doubt helped influence the Commission which revised its price forecasts up for future years, with year-on-year growth expected through to 2028/29, the end of their forecast.
Their expectations are not dissimilar to those of other analysts, suggesting the market in Scotland will move ahead in 2025 rather more strongly than it has in 2024, even though we still have one month to report on in 2024.
Having said that the government will be reviewing its Lands and Building Transfer Tax policy during 2025 and that may have implications for activity levels. We must await the outcome first although of course the impact of the higher Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) introduced in early December will already be working its way through the market.
Barratt Homes East Scotland will soon be welcoming prospective buyers to visit one of the UK’s most iconic redevelopment projects, as homes at Bangour Village, West Lothian launch next month.
Built on the grounds of former Bangour Hospital outside Livingston, the regeneration of the site is being carried out by a variety of housebuilders, including Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes which will join in May.
Earlier this year, Ambassador Group finalised the sale of 14.55 acres of land to Barratt Homes for the development of 179 private residences. The first phase of properties will be available to reserve from February 2025 and includes three and four-bed homes.
These new homes will become part of the larger Bangour Village Estate, an ambitious redevelopment nestled in 215 acres of woodland. In total, the project aims to introduce up to 998 energy-efficient homes that will benefit from excellent transport links to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Once completed, the brand-new community will have a range of amenities including a primary school, nursery, playing fields, a commercial hub comprising a supermarket, café/restaurant, and expansive woodland that has been preserved.
Lorraine Paterson, Sales Director at Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: “As locals will know, the Bangour site is cherished within the community for its scenic beauty and rich heritage.
“We’ve taken care at every opportunity when designing and planning quality homes on the grounds, making sure properties reflect the needs of families, couples and individuals, while being inspired by the spacious tranquillity of Bangour.
“By working with Ambassador Group and other housebuilders, we hope to see the site reborn as a place to live and thrive.”
To find out more about Barratt @ Bangour Village, visit:
Kickstart Your New Year with a New Home and £10,000 Cashback from Cruden Homes
Award-winning Scottish housebuilder Cruden Homes is helping homebuyers make a fresh start in 2025 with an exciting new offer – a generous £10,000 cashback on homes reserved at any of their developments from 3rd January until 14th February 2025.
The limited-time cashback incentive is designed to support buyers looking to secure their dream home this new year, providing a significant financial boost to make moving that little bit easier. Whether buyers are looking to move up the property ladder, downsize, or purchase their first home, Cruden Homes’ high-quality, energy-efficient properties offer the perfect solution.
Four outstanding developments in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas are included in this unmissable offer:
West Craigs Green, Edinburgh: A collection of 122 modern homes featuring apartments, terraced houses, and townhouses. With generous balconies, green open spaces, and excellent transport links, prices start from £220,000.
Wellwater Grove, West Lothian: Three and four-bedroom homes in East Calder, ideally located near local shops, pubs, and cafes, perfect for families and professionals alike. Prices start from £278,500.
Longniddry Village, East Lothian: Traditionally designed two to five-bedroom homes, coach houses, and apartments with standout features like German kitchens, Siemens appliances, and timber sash windows. Prices start from £232,500.
The Avenue, Barnton: Age-exclusive retirement development, designed specifically for the needs of residents over 55 years old, featuring elegant apartments, penthouses, and villas with on-site facilities, private parking, and EV charging points. Prices start from £365,000.
Hazel Davies, Sales and Marketing Director at Cruden Homes, said:“January is often a time for new beginnings, and what better way to start the year than by securing a beautiful new home?
“Our £10,000 cashback offer is there to make that move a little easier, whether it’s helping with furniture, deposit costs, or something else buyers might need to get settled in their new home.
“With a fantastic selection of homes across our developments, there’s never been a better time to make your move with Cruden Homes.”
Cruden Homes offers a range of thoughtfully designed properties across Scotland, combining style, comfort, and energy efficiency to suit modern lifestyles.
This new incentive extends to all Cruden Homes developments and is expected to appeal to a variety of buyers, including first-time homeowners and growing families, looking to make the most of the new year.
To find out more about the £10,000 cashback offer and explore developments near you, visit crudenhomes.co.uk.
Commercial real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has secured a £29.95million debt package from Leumi UK to deliver its first purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme.
The financing will support the delivery of a 230-bed PBSA project in Leith, which Firethorn acquired in February 2024.
Forming part of the Leith Walk redevelopment scheme, the site has planning permission to deliver a six-storey building featuring high quality accommodation and generous amenities, including a fully-equipped gym, modern study spaces and student common rooms.
Edinburgh’s PBSA market is materially undersupplied, with a student-to-bed ratio of 3.13:1 and a limited development pipeline. The Leith Walk development will help to address demand by creating much-needed bed spaces, while a modern and sustainable design specification will contribute towards BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings.
Richard Whitby, Chief Financial Officer at Firethorn Trust, commented: “The Leith Walk project required a partner that could provide a tailored financing solution to meet our bespoke needs, which is precisely what Leumi delivered.
“We are delighted to be working with Leumi on this development and are excited about the potential for collaboration on future projects as we grow our Firethorn Living platform.
“With our established track record in developing high-quality assets and generating strong returns, we are confident that this development will play a key role in addressing the critical need for modern student housing in Edinburgh’s vibrant university district.”
Dan Whiteman, Relationship Director at Leumi UK, added: “In many ways, this transaction epitomises what sets Leumi UK apart, as we were able to complete this transaction with great focus on ensuring the lending solution met the specific needs of the sponsor.
“Firethorn Trust has a strong track record of creating attractive and sustainable spaces, and we look forward to expanding our relationship as it grows its Living platform.”
The Leith Walk development is expected to complete in time for the 2026/27 academic year.
Firethorn Trust was advised by Brotherton, BCLP and CMS. Leumi UK was advised by Osborne Clarke and MFMac.
The homebuilder has unveiled a brand new four-bedroom Showhome of Support, as well a three-bedroom showhome and three-bedroom show apartment at Rosebery Wynd
LOCAL businesses from in and around South Queensferry have been put in the spotlight by Cala Homes (East) as it unveiled its second ‘Showhome of Support’ within the area.
Situated within the homebuilder’s Rosebery Wynd development off Builyeon Road, the impressive four-bedroom Buchanan townhouse showhome has provided a platform for local retailers to promote their wares and showcase the very best that businesses in the area have to offer.
The initiative forms part of Cala’s South Queensferry Community Pledge – a bespoke package of community support designed to assist with local projects which bring benefit and value to the local community, in a meaningful and measurable way.
Jenni Colquhoun, studio manager at Harbour Lane, said: “We were thrilled when Cala approached us to style their new showhome with some of our pieces.
“South Queensferry’s high street is a gem which is filled with unique, vibrant independents that draw people to this truly special area, so it’s fantastic to see a housebuilder of that size celebrating and supporting the businesses at the heart of this community.”
As well as the new Showhome of Support, the award-winning homebuilder has also unveiled a new three-bedroom Balvenie showhome and three-bedroom Almond show apartment which are now available to view at Rosebery Wynd.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the iconic Forth Bridges, each of the homes within this new development offer a unique versatility that suit any lifestyle, with flexible spaces perfect for hosting friends and family, working from home or even transforming into a home gym or hobby room.
Homes within this vibrant new community benefit from all the beauty and convenience South Queensferry has to offer, all while being within easy reach of Scotland’s capital. The development perfectly combines semi-rural and urban city living, with Edinburgh just 20 minutes away by train and excellent commuter links to Fife and beyond.
What’s more, the development is surrounded by plenty of green space and is positioned within close proximity to a number of walking and cycling routes, as well as excellent local schools and a range of amenities, including independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
Elaine Doyle, Sales and Marketing Director at Cala Homes (East), said: “We’re delighted to showcase the incredible talent of South Queensferry’s local businesses through our new Showhome of Support at Rosebery Wynd.
“This initiative is a key part of our South Queensferry Community Pledge, and by featuring locally sourced items from various artisans in our new four-bedroom Buchanan townhouse, we’re providing a unique platform for these businesses to showcase the best of their wares.
“With the addition of our new three-bedroom showhome and three-bedroom show apartment at Rosebery Wynd, we’re excited to offer even more choices for prospective buyers, whether it be first time buyers, downsizers or growing families alike.
“We expect demand for these homes to be high, so I would recommend to anyone who is interested in making the move to South Queensferry to book a viewing appointment with a member of our expert sales team, who will be able to discuss the range of incentives Cala can offer.”
The four-bedroom Buchanan Showhome of Support is available to view now, as well as the three-bedroom Balvenie and three-bedroom Almond apartment. To book a viewing, visit the Cala Homes website or call the sales team on 0131 608 5652.
Cala’s Showhome of Support initiative is one of many activities designed to bring meaningful and measurable benefit to South Queensferry through the town’s Community Pledge.
The housebuilder is currently supporting Queensferry and District Community Council’s (QDCC) ‘Community Chest’, which will see a total of £5,000 distributed to local organisations in 2025.
Groups can apply for up to £1,000 of funding until the deadline on Thursday, 31 December 2024. To apply, visit the application form link on the QDCC website.
To learn more about the South Queensferry Community Pledge, go to:
A new approach to development and the environment will boost the number of homes being built
Measures will create a ‘win-win’ for nature and the economy, accelerating economic and environmental growth.
Rules will focus on driving up environmental outcomes over rigid processes that block and delay development, with developers able to pay into a fund for improvements to nature as a quicker and simpler way of meeting their environmental obligations.
Measures to turbocharge housebuilding have been set out (15 December) as part of wider proposals for the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill. The Bill will play a key role in promoting economic growth, unlocking a new scale of delivery for housing and infrastructure.
Common sense changes to environmental rules will support the Government’s commitment to build 1.5 million homes and advance 150 major infrastructure project decisions, while also helping halt and reverse the decline of species and natural habitats.
A new Nature Restoration Fund would enable developers to meet their environmental obligations more quickly and with greater impact – accelerating the building of homes and improving the environment.
Currently developers may need to secure mitigation for environmental harm before being granted planning permission.
This adds cost, delays and can entirely block the housing and infrastructure our country needs – with rules too focused on preserving the status quo instead of supporting growth and charting a course to nature recovery.
Under these reforms, developers will instead be able to pay into the fund allowing building to proceed immediately – quicker, simpler, and more certain that the broken status quo.
A delivery body, such as Natural England, will then take responsibility for securing positive environmental outcomes, for example, delivering a reduction in nutrient pollution affecting the water environment or securing habitats to increase the population of a protected species.
This represents a shift away from a broken system which has stifled development, growth and nature recovery for far too long – failing communities and the environment.
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner said: “Getting Britain building means stripping away unnecessary barriers to growth to deliver the homes that we so desperately need.
“For years, vital housing and infrastructure projects have been tied up in red tape leaving communities without the homes, infrastructure and jobs they need.
“Our Plan for Change will put an end to the status quo while restoring nature. It’s win-win for development and our environment, including targeted reforms allowing us to use the economic benefits of growth to fund tangible and targeted action for nature’s recovery.”
Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: “We were elected on a mandate to get Britain building again and protect nature.
“But the status quo is blocking the building of homes and failing to protect the environment.
“These reforms will allow tens of thousands of homes to be built while protecting the natural environment we all depend on.”
The proposals set out three steps the government will take to help developers get building while delivering their environmental obligations in a more sensible and strategic way.
This approach will mean developers don’t have to pay for individual site level assessments for the matters covered by the Nature Restoration Fund – which adds cost and delay – and will no longer have to deliver mitigation needed.
A single payment will enable development to proceed. A delivery body will then take the actions needed to drive nature recovery at a strategic, not site-by-site, scale:
Government will lead a single strategic assessment and delivery plan for an area – not an individual site – which will allow decisions to be made at an appropriate geographic scale. The current process is uncertain and costly, with assessments on issues such as nutrient neutrality requiring bespoke calculations and significant technical expertise at the level of each individual project. This also misses the opportunity to support the best outcomes for nature.
A public delivery body will consider which actions are needed to address the environmental impact of development across an appropriate area and determine how much developers will pay into the Nature Restoration Fund. The delivery body will secure the actions funded by developers, removing the need for actions to be taken on a case by case basis.
Contributions will be secured from developers to fully fund nature recovery actions. This would enable developers to meet certain environmental obligations through a single payment into the Nature Restoration Fund – which would streamline the process and maximise the impact of money spent on nature by directing it to real world action instead of paperwork and process.
The proposals are set out in a working paper, which seeks views from stakeholders including communities, housing and clean power developers, nature service providers and local authorities. Feedback from the working paper will inform the next stage of policy development.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said: “It is evident that we need to take urgent action to address the worsening decline of nature, and we must also lean into the challenges posed by housing shortages.
“We will continue to work with the Government to help deliver their plans – but the two key issues of today, nature and economic recovery, should not be pitted against one another, as we step up efforts to avoid losing what protected remnants of nature remain while also restoring some of what has gone.
“Instead, we should consider the huge opportunities which can be unlocked through better strategic planning which considers environmental improvements, economic development and green spaces for public enjoyment on a landscape scale.”
Commenting on the National Planning Policy Framework, countryside charity CPRE chief executive Roger Mortlock said: “‘The broken housebuilding market is to blame for the painfully slow delivery of much-needed new homes. When big housebuilders deliberately limit the supply of new homes to maximise their profits, supercharging the current system will not lead to the change the government is looking for.
‘The government’s plans risk a huge hike in the number of unaffordable, car-dependent homes. Building on England’s 1.2 million shovel-ready brownfield sites would do far more to unlock growth, regenerate communities and provide sustainable, genuinely affordable new homes.
‘We welcome the commitment to local plans and affordable homes. However, local authorities responsible for delivering new homes will be swamped with speculative applications on high-quality Green Belt and farmland. Inevitably, many of these will be approved to meet nationally imposed targets.
‘The ‘grey belt’ policy needs to be much more clearly defined and exclude working farms. It will undermine the Green Belt, one of this country’s most successful spatial protections with huge potential to help address the climate and nature emergencies.
‘There’s some hope ahead with plans for a strategy that covers all our use of land. Longer-term commitments to build genuinely affordable and better designed homes are welcome too. Until then,, our countryside will remain needlessly under threat.’
The government would use the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to introduce legislative changes to drive action at a strategic level which will provide certainty for both developers and the environment.
This will also establish a more efficient and effective way for Habitats Regulations and other environmental obligations to be discharged, pooling individual contributions to deliver the strategic interventions necessary to drive nature recovery.
BiGGAR Economics challenges ‘false narratives’ surrounding Scotland’s self-catering sector now at risk from heavy-handed government regulation
NEW independent analysis from a respected Scottish consultancy reveals the substantial positive economic impact of Scotland’s self-catering industry which was also shown to have a negligible effect on housing.
BiGGAR Economics calculated that short-term lets (STLs) contribute nearly £1bn gross value added (GVA) to the Scottish economy while supporting approximately 30,000 jobs. By accommodating visitors, STLs generate economic activity across Scotland, with the local impacts exceeding residential use, supporting an additional £32,400 GVA per property.
Guests staying in self-catering accommodation, termed ‘secondary lets’ in Scottish STL legislation, also spend more than the average visitor to Scotland, with knock-on gains for related tourist and hospitality businesses. Alongside this huge economic boost, the researchers also highlight that self-catering accounts for less than 1% of the country’s total housing stock.
This challenges the narrative that STLs are fuelling Scotland’s housing crisis, with self-catering at only 0.8% of the country’s housing stock, too low a proportion to have a meaningful impact on local housing markets. Moreover, according to the report, in every local authority area, economically inactive empty homes account for a larger proportion of total dwellings than from secondary lets.
The key headlines include:
STLs are estimated to generate £864m GVA and support 29,324 jobs across Scotland;
Edinburgh and Highland together account for 44% of the total economic impact but the sector’s benefits are dispersed throughout Scotland;
The annual GVA associated with an average owner-occupier/private rented household in Scotland was £14,451, compared to £50,159 for a two-bedroom STL; and
STLs make up a tiny proportion of Scotland’s housing stock, with self-catering accounting for just 0.8%. This is considerably less than the 3.6% that economically inactive empty properties account for.
This study comes as the Scottish Government published an implementation update report on STL licensing which the industry maintains did not adequately address their longstanding concerns. At a local level, councils such as Highland and Edinburgh are also assessing their regulations.
BiGGAR’s new analysis is based on the best available evidence on STLs in Scotland. The findings have been shared with Scottish Government Ministers and officials.
Graeme Blackett, Director of BiGGAR Economics, said:“This report shows that secondary lets make an important contribution to Scottish tourism and economy overall, supporting almost 30,000 Scottish jobs.
“Our research also concluded that it was clear that secondary lets are not a driver of the wider Scottish housing market.
“If short-term let regulations leads to a reduction in the supply of secondary lets, that will have a negative impact on the tourism economy, without delivering any solutions to Scotland’s wider housing challenges.”
Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said:“This is yet more compelling evidence that short-term lets aren’t the main contributor of the housing crisis but are instead turbocharging local economies with a near £1bn positive impact while supporting 30,000 jobs.
“The current unbalanced regulatory framework does not reflect this reality and changes are needed before irreversible damage is done.
“Local councils should take heed of the report’s findings when considering their approach to planning policies and control areas to ensure the relatively small number of valuable short-term lets are protected.
“For policymakers, the message couldn’t be clearer: you can’t solve a housing crisis by producing a crisis in Scottish tourism by decimating local businesses that underpin local economies. Attention must shift to the real causes of the housing crisis.”
