New Action Group set up to work for high rise building reform
Tag: housing
Artisan launches new standards for sustainable homes development
Urban Regeneration Specialist Creates New Design Framework to Boost Low Carbon City Living
Niche homebuilder Artisan Real Estate has launched an ambitious new blueprint for sustainable development, responding to the changing requirements of local people and communities in a post-Covid world.
Smart, energy-efficient building design has been matched with an innovative approach to placemaking and community, introducing such creative concepts as green roofs, ‘edible’ gardens and green transport plans to sensitive city centre environments.
Initially focusing on new homes’ projects in Edinburgh, the plan is geared to achieving low to zero carbon development – as well as creating a more open and landscaped environment to benefit general health and well-being.
Linking closely with the City of Edinburgh Council’s ‘Future Edinburgh’ strategy which aims to make the city carbon neutral within the next ten years, Artisan is now applying its radical design philosophy to two major developments in the city: Canonmills Garden to the north of the city centre and the recently acquired Rowanbank Gardens in the popular Corstorphine area and currently subject to a planning application.
“The challenges highlighted by the Covid 19 pandemic has accelerated the importance of changing the way we deliver new home development,” said Clive Wilding, Artisan’s Group Development Director.
“We are now very much going above and beyond the existing Council guidelines as outlined in its ‘Future Edinburgh’ strategy. As well as reducing urban sprawl by optimising the number of people living in well-designed, sustainable homes in low car-use locations well-served by public and ‘self-propelled’ transport, we are also envisaging what people want from their living environment, post-Covid 19.
“Significant emphasis is placed on the quality of internal space and light to create enjoyable home-working environments, whilst accessible gardens and landscaping promote health and well-being by making nature and well-designed outdoor space integral to the day-to-day living experience.”
Artisan’s Canonmills Garden development, scheduled for completion in early 2021, has pioneered the integration of low and zero carbon generating technology.
This includes a combined heat and power system helping to support building energy loads whilst charging electric vehicles, reducing both building and transport CO2 emissions.
This strategy, combined with well-designed green roof spaces and climate responsive building facades, helps improve and enhance environmental integration, natural light provision and the quality of indoor and outdoor air.
Similar development principles have been applied to the major planning application for 126 new homes at Artisan’s Rowanbank Gardens.
The former care-home site in Corstorphine is set to answer the Council’s requirement for well designed, high density living whilst providing spacious communal areas and well-established public transport links ensuring low car ownership.
The development is designed around a central courtyard garden providing nearly twice the level of open space recommended by council planning policy, filled with fruit trees and communal planting and growing beds. Apartments are designed for open plan living with large windows giving views of the courtyard and the wider area, while green roofs ensure benefits of surface water retention, insulation and ecology.
Artisan is perhaps best known in Scotland for large-scale city regeneration projects like the award-winning New Waverley, which has transformed the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town.
The developer is now applying the same values and philosophy which has guided the successful design and execution of New Waverley to its residential developments, setting it apart from other major homebuilders in Scotland.
“Remaining true to our urban regeneration credentials, at the heart of all Artisan’s developments is building a strong sense of place,” adds Clive Wilding.
“We are specialising in niche urban developments in the most exciting parts of the city centre, creating a high-value premium product for a wide range of homebuyers, including young professionals, families and downsizers.
“Artisan now has an opportunity in Scotland to set a new benchmark for high quality urban regeneration in sensitive city-centre environments – whether it be commercial, residential or mixed-use.
“Our track record in Edinburgh and in Scotland has given us a strong understanding of the importance of high quality placemaking, which is at the heart of all Artisan’s developments.”
For more information on Artisan’s developments in Scotland and the UK visit:
Housing and homelessness: biggest challenges are still to come
The response from organisations working to prevent homeless during the pandemic in Edinburgh has been phenomenal (writes Councillor Kate Campbell, Edinburgh’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener).
The council’s homelessness service has been working with the Scottish Government, third sector, the police, the NHS, social care and volunteers to provide housing, food, health care, advice and support throughout the lockdown period.
Front line workers and volunteers have powered this work, putting their own health at risk to make sure that our most vulnerable residents are supported. We owe them a massive thank you.
And what is even more phenomenal is the level of engagement we’ve received in return. Turns out showing that you actually care builds trust. So people we have been describing as ‘hard to reach’ have actually been reached, and are engaging, and are being supported on the journey to permanent housing.
So we have learnt a lot – things, frankly, we already knew. But now we can evidence them. If you put in all the support upfront, then people will engage. You have to take services to people and they have to be tailored to meet their needs.
It has cost a lot in the short term, but we also need to learn the lessons about what we are saving in the longer term. Not just money on future services that hopefully won’t now be needed. But life chances, health outcomes, dignity, respect.
There’s a big debate here. And one we need to manage carefully: when our city shut down, suddenly we were able to end rough sleeping.
Now partly it’s to do with resources. It was a public health emergency and so funding became a secondary consideration. And we were allowed, because of public health, to spend money accommodating people with ‘no recourse to public funds’ – where their immigration status means a person isn’t entitled to any benefits, even if they have the right to remain in the UK. Usually the law prohibits us from doing this.
The other thing that happened is accommodation became available to us. Short term let properties were suddenly accessible for people experiencing homelessness. Hotels opened their doors to people who had been rough sleeping.
And we have to be honest. This is about supply and demand. There was no demand from tourists, so residents were the only market.
We will welcome visitors back to the city in the months and years to come. We need to make sure that the balance is right. That visitors are not staying in accommodation that could be used as homes. And we need to support hotels who employ more people, are tightly regulated and have to pay their business taxes.
So we will be pressing ahead with controls on short term lets as they pass into legislation, whether that’s licensing powers or through planning. It’s important for both the hospitality sector, and for our residents, that homes stay as homes after the pandemic.
But there will be more challenges to come. We know that there will come a point when we are no longer legally allowed to accommodate people with no recourse to public funds. The idea that we will have to say, because of the law, that people must leave their accommodation – and we will know that they have nowhere to go – is horrific.
We have limited powers (unfortunately we can’t change legislation at Westminster from the city chambers) but we can start to plan pathways, look at options and work with our partners. Kevin Stewart, Scotland’s Housing Minister, has written to the UK government. We will need to work with the Scottish Government to make the case for legislative change – and funding to go alongside it.
We know too that the economic situation is likely to worsen before it gets better. We know that we are likely to see job losses as the furlough scheme winds down and that alongside this there is a risk of increased homelessness.
We need to increase preventative work to help keep people in their homes. Advice and support are crucial so that people are able to access the benefits they are entitled to and receive help with housing costs. It’s also vital people know their housing rights.
We will also need to increase the supply of temporary accommodation, and make sure that accommodation is suitable for the people that need to stay in it.
Ultimately though, we want people to move into permanent, secure and safe homes – so our housebuilding programme, and the provision of social housing, will be even more critical than ever.
We’ve reconvened the homelessness task force to look at all of this. To have a space where we can learn best practice from each other – and there is so much innovation happening – and where we can share our concerns about what we see coming down the line. And work together to plan solutions.
In the months ahead we will need to keep re-evaluating, and planning, and adapting. This crisis is far from over. But the strength of the partnerships we have now across the city, and the enormous determination to work together to overcome any obstacles, give me confidence that we will collectively rise to the challenges that come.
This article first appeared in the Edinbugh Evening News
Everything you need to know about getting a mortgage during Covid-19
Covid-19 is impacting many families and individuals in very different ways. But with so many of us spending more time at home than ever before, many people are thinking about whether they can move or extend to gain more space, or just taking advantage of lower interest rates.
The housing market is now opening up and rates are changing yet many people are unsure about whether mortgages are available for them.
TSB’s Head of Mortgages, Nick Smith answers some important questions on getting a mortgage in the current environment:
Can I still get a mortgage in the current environment?
Yes, you can. However, getting a mortgage really depends on individual circumstances. Think about your personal situation – is your income sustainable? Are you happy with the deposit you’ve built?
If you’re planning to get a mortgage, speak to your lender or broker openly about your financial situation and they will be able to advise on the best options for you.
Can I physically view properties?
Estate agents are opening up and you should be able to do physical viewings in England. But in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales viewings are not yet permitted.
If you’d prefer an electronic viewing – speak to your agent, they can likely help you, although for many people, nothing can replace the sense of space and perspective you get from being physically in the property.
Can I get a valuation or survey done on a house I want to buy?
Yes, most lenders are now conducting physical valuations where electronic valuations have not been possible.
Most surveyors will be taking their precautionary measures with full PPE equipment, therefore ensuring the homeowner’s safety as well as their own.
However, more and more lenders are using electronic valuations, which are very accurate and can be done very quickly. Remember – the valuation done by your mortgage lender is to satisfy themselves that the house is a good security for your loan.
I’d always advise when buying a new house that you consider a more detailed survey for your own benefit and peace of mind. The RICS consumer guide to home surveys on their website is a useful guide to your different options.
Are first time buyers impacted more than second time buyers?
No, they’re not. It really depends on how much equity you have either as a first-time buyer or those remortgaging/buying a second property.
If you’re looking to remortgage just remember you don’t have to move to a new bank/lender. All major providers will offer a product transfer which means that you can move to a lower rate.
Is there anything I need to be aware of when applying for a mortgage in this environment?
There are a few things to bear in mind. Crucially, it’s important to think about your financial situation. Has your income changed recently? Will you be able to make payments now and in the future? When speaking to your lender/broker, provide as much information as you can about your income. Ultimately, they will want to protect you as much as possible, so that you can comfortably meet your payments and not find yourself in a financially vulnerable position.
For example, consider the following when speaking to your mortgage advisor: have you been working more overtime than normal lately? Will this continue in the future or will your hours and overtime reduce?
Most lenders will lend to those who have been furloughed but each lender will have their own lending criteria. Your mortgage advisor will be able to help with the best options for you. For more complex income circumstances, a specialist mortgage broker will be able to talk through your options.
The physical process of buying a house has also changed very slightly – there will be more social distancing for example and so it is likely a mortgage meeting will take place over the phone rather than face to face.
A mortgage meeting over the phone is easier to book in whereas face to face is a little more difficult at the moment. The Government has recently issued detailed guidance on how house viewings should be conducted with social distancing in mind.
With the rapid market changes, we’ve also seen banks responding very quickly and reintroducing higher loan to value products. At the moment, most banks have reintroduced lending up to 85% of the value of the property – so there are more mortgages becoming available again for those with a 15% deposit. Do your research and speak to your advisor about the best mortgages for you.
If I’ve been offered a mortgage is my bank obliged to offer it if my circumstances change?
No, they’re not. Offers can only be withdrawn under certain limited conditions but this includes a change in income. If your circumstances change, speak to your lender or broker as soon as possible. It’s important to remember that they will always want to ensure you can afford repayments now and in the future and they will work with you to find the best options for you.
I’m thinking about enlarging my home to create more space – how do I get a mortgage for this?
You have three options to consider, and the best option for you will depend on a number of things, such as how much additional money you need to borrow, how much your house is worth, and whether your current mortgage is still in a period where early repayment charges apply.
Option 1: would be to speak to your existing mortgage provider about a “Further Advance” – essentially borrowing more money on your existing mortgage. This is likely to be the quickest option to get funds in your bank account, as there’s no change in lender, but you should weigh up both the convenience and the cost, as it won’t necessarily be the cheapest option.
Option 2: would be to move your entire mortgage to a new lender under a remortgage process, taking additional borrowing as part of your application. If you want to take this option, be careful to speak to your existing lender about any early repayment costs associated with your current mortgage.
Option 3: would be to take out what’s known as a “second charge” loan – this is where a new lender advances you the money, accepting that if you default on your mortgage and your house is repossessed, they only get funds from your property once the first-change lender (i.e. your main mortgage) has recovered their debts. As a result, these are usually more expensive interest rates, and are less common in the market.
If the above options don’t appeal, or if you don’t have much equity in your property, you could also consider an unsecured loan.
Whilst interest rates are usually higher than on mortgages / further advances, there is some flexibility in taking a separate unsecured loan, as long as you can afford both payments, and most mainstream lenders will offer up to anywhere between £25k and £50k as their maximum unsecured loan amount.
Do note though, repayment terms are usually shorter, so these will almost always have a higher monthly repayment.
I’m not feeling confident about buying in the current environment, what should I do with my deposit?
If you’re feeling uncertain about buying a house right now, think about when you believe you might feel ready. When thinking about where to put your hard-earned deposit, consider whether you really want it tied-up.
If there’s a chance that you might find somewhere you would love to buy in six months, then putting your deposit in a longer fixed-term savings account, where you might forfeit interest if you withdraw early, probably isn’t the right thing to do, even if it has a slightly better interest rate.
Equally, you should think very carefully before moving any of your deposit into stocks, shares or funds, where the value could go down as well as up – what if the value has decreased at a time you want to buy? Would that be a problem for you?
If so, now probably isn’t the time for that sort of investment. Speak to your bank about your options, they can assist and talk you through what is suitable for you and your circumstances.
Nick Smith, TSB’s Head of Mortgages, concludes: “The market is changing rapidly and we are seeing some confidence grow in the housing market, which will be welcome news for those eager to buy a new home or to remortgage.
“There are mortgages available, but you will need to remember to do your research and have open discussions with your mortgage advisor.”
Action needed to help renters
UK government urged to strengthen social security system.
Scotland’s Housing Minister Kevin Stewart has written to the UK Government calling for urgent action to support housing tenants affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mr Stewart identifies five key areas in which the benefits system and support for people who rent their home should be urgently strengthened.
The Housing Minister urges the UK government to:
• lift Local Housing Allowance rates further to make more homes affordable to renters
• suspend the removal of the spare room subsidy
• suspend the benefit cap
• suspend the shared accommodation rate for under-35s
• extend the backdating of benefits for those who might not have realised they were eligible and relax the criteria under which backdating is allowable
The Scottish Government took action in the first emergency COVID-19 legislation to protect tenants from eviction for at least six months. Recently it made an additional £5 million available in discretionary housing payments to support those renting, increasing this fund to £16 million – this is further to that made available to fully mitigate the bedroom tax.
FULL TEXT OF LETTER
The Rt Hon Dr Thérèse Coffey
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9AJ
Dear Ms Coffey
I am writing to urge further consideration of the need to strengthen the social security system for renters affected by COVID-19.
In this unprecedented crisis, the Scottish Government and local authorities swiftly took a range of steps to protect renters from eviction through extended notice periods and extension of mandatory grounds. We have also moved to provide additional financial support within our devolved powers and budgets.
In order to support tenants during the crisis, we have increased the amount available for other discretionary housing payments (DHPs) by £5 million to almost £16 million. This takes our overall investment in DHPs in 2020/21 to more than £76 million. We took these steps to support those for whom the UK welfare state is not providing the safety net it should.
We are also supporting private landlords by offering loans and encouraging them to take mortgage breaks where available, although we know this is limited for some. We continue to engage with landlords across the rented sector to ensure that they are coming to agreements with tenants on rent arrears and signposting tenants to the range of financial support available.
The Scottish Government remains committed to working collaboratively with the UK Government to ensure that the social and economic effects of COVID-19 are mitigated effectively and efficiently so that people do not face hardship or homelessness. We have set out the steps we would like you to take in various pieces of correspondence during the pandemic.
The benefits system is an essential lifeline for many people facing or experiencing homelessness throughout the UK. Housing elements of social security remain a crucial part of the support required by tenants facing financial difficulty or homelessness as a result of the pandemic and remain reserved to you.
The changes you have made to local housing allowance (LHA) rates are welcome, but fall short of what is needed to provide comprehensive support to people living in rented accommodation.
In addition to our previous calls to lift the benefit cap; to scrap or relax the restrictions around the removal of the spare room subsidy; to provide more information to local authorities to help signpost available support to tenants; and to support quicker payments for discretionary housing payments, I urge you to consider further action to support people who rent their homes.
This is an area where urgent intervention is required in light of emerging evidence of the inequity of support available between those who rent and those who hold a mortgage.
Recent research by the Resolution Foundation demonstrates this in stark terms, finding that mortgage holders entered the crisis with lower average housing costs relative to income and a bigger financial buffer than renters, a disparity reflected in the fact that renters were far more likely to be facing difficulty in meeting their housing costs than those with a mortgage.
This same research also found that the level of mortgage holders seeking and successfully securing a mortgage holiday is far higher (12%) than the number of private renters seeking and successfully securing rent reductions from their landlords (5%).
We know that many people will find themselves in financial difficulty for the first time from job loss or substantial income reductions. Given the scale at which this is occurring for households across the country, it is vital that the safety net of social security is accessible and sufficient to support people through this national crisis and a new approach to the housing element of social security is now needed.
• We know that low-income families will have no savings to cushion them from the financial impact of the pandemic. We urge you to suspend the removal of the spare room subsidy, particularly as a spare room becomes essential when larger families need space to isolate.
• To support those with high rents who are currently unable to source lower cost accommodation, we would ask you to suspend the benefit cap. This will help to reduce the risk of immediate and short term hardship for families who are unable to meet housing costs, and will help to ensure that the support you have made available through investment in LHA rates and the increase in the standard allowance rate of universal credit is not undermined.
• We have seen the benefit of restored LHA rates in Edinburgh, with several hundred properties now affordable to renters, but the majority of renters will still struggle to source affordable accommodation and people must be able to maintain tenancies beyond the immediate crisis. We urge you to lift LHA rates further, bearing in mind that the 30th percentile still represents a cut when compared to the 50th percentile that applied before UK Government welfare changes.
• The high number of individuals under the age of 35 who have moved in with their parents during this crisis highlights the need for better housing support for young people. Like many stakeholders in the Scottish housing sector, we believe there is a strong case for suspending the shared accommodation rate for under 35s, especially as many who have lost jobs during the crisis are likely to be younger people.
• Finally, we ask you to extend the backdating of benefits for those who might not have realised they were eligible and relax the criteria under which backdating is allowable.
The Resolution Foundation figures are concerning and the risk to households who rent their homes is immediate and pressing. We must work collectively to act now to support a group of people facing mounting rent arrears and financial difficulty they would not have if they were mortgage holders. You will be aware of similar calls from leading homelessness organisations who are hearing concerns from their clients.
I am happy to discuss any of the points raised in this letter and wish to further reaffirm the offers from Scottish ministers to work with you on any other actions you are considering in response to COVID-19. I hope that by working together our governments can provide the most effective form of support during this crisis and afterwards.
Kind regards
KEVIN STEWART
MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSING AND PLANNING
CALA goes to town with Leith waterfront homes
A MODERN reimagining of the city townhouse has been launched to the market at a sought-after Leith development.
Comprising plenty of flexible space set across three levels, The Brae townhouse by CALA Homes (East) is the latest housetype to be launched by the developer at its popular Waterfront Plaza development.
Designed with city professionals, growing families and downsizers in mind, its carefully created layout can be adapted to cater for different and evolving needs, while also providing all the extra room needed for visiting family and friends.
With the first two of these three bedroom townhouses now available for reservation, priced at £495,000 and £500,000 respectively, CALA also plan to launch a townhouse showhome in late summer/early autumn; this will initially be able to be viewed virtually from the comfort of your own home, until it is deemed safe to host private appointments.
At the start of the lockdown it also launched its Remote Reservations service, which has proven popular in enabling buyers to confidently secure their new dream home from the comfort of their current home, with the fee fully refundable. Buyers can also opt to use the developer’s other helpful services such as its Part Exchange or Guaranteed Buyer services.
Philip Hogg, Sales and Marketing Director with CALA Homes (East), said: “There is a real community building at Waterfront Plaza – and that is owing in part to the brilliant range of apartments and homes, attracting a diverse range of buyers.
“We’ve already seen the sell-out success of the colony apartments and duplexes – a style of home intrinsic to Edinburgh.
“These townhouses are again so familiar to the city. Yet our design teams have been able to build on everything we love with traditional townhouses; that sense of height, large windows and grand hallways – with modern twists throughout including a first floor private terrace to reflect how we live now.”
On the ground floor, a family room the breadth of the property offers a range of potential uses, while a third bedroom could easily be repurposed into the ultimate home office, boosted with fibre connectivity direct into the home available. A utility room, WC and storage space add further real world practicality.
Upstairs a formal lounge with two Juliet balconies is just a few steps from a contemporary open-plan kitchen and dining area. This space is made even more impressive with sliding glass doors to a copious, first floor terrace, which also provides a cover for the private parking space below, with many offering south facing aspects to maximise sunlight.
The top floor is reserved for two impressive, near mirror-image en suite bedrooms, both exceeding five by three metres and including built in storage and their own private Juliet balconies. The en suites suit every preference, with one offering a bath and the other a shower.
Further to the balconies and the spacious terrace, a low-maintenance garden means the home offers easy living that blends inside and outside space across all its levels.
Ewan McIntyre, Managing Director with EMA Architecture and Design, who designed the homes in partnership with CALA’s in-house teams, said: “It’s a real privilege to be able to work with CALA on a site as special as this. CALA’s particular approach has enabled us to design a broad range of high quality and innovative family homes for the site, including these townhouses.
“The opportunity to design homes for families to live in a waterside setting in Edinburgh is very rare and we’re proud of what we’ve been able to achieve here.”
Set in the heart of the thriving Leith shoreline, recently crowned the Best Place to Live in Scotland by The Sunday Times, Waterfront Plaza benefits from a range of vibrant bars, cafes and restaurants, as well as all the amenities of Ocean Terminal which is situated directly opposite.
The development follows on from nearby successful projects by CALA at Albert Dock, Trinity Park and Ten Brunswick Road.
Accessing the capital city centre is made easy with regular bus services and cycle paths. By car, the M8, M9 and the A90 are all within easy reach via the city bypass.
Help To Buy homes scheme extended
Continued support for house-building industry and buyers
More than 2,000 households will be able to buy a new build home as the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme is extended by a year to March 2022.
Supported by £55 million of funding for 2021/22, the extension will also help house-builders to ensure their economic recovery over the years ahead.
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “A strong and growing house-building industry is vital to Scotland’s future economic prosperity – and particularly as we plan our strategic economic recovery from COVID-19.
“This extension will provide us with the opportunity to reassess future priorities for the market, taking account of economic conditions following the pandemic, as well as providing a helping hand to those seeking to buy their own home.
“Since 2013, the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme has supported people with the purchase of over 17,000 new build homes and in particular supported young people aged 35 and under.
“Extending this scheme will help more people to buy a new-build property, particularly those who have suffered lower levels of income and have used up savings due to the impact of COVID-19 in recent months.”
The Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme focuses on more affordable housing with a maximum purchase price of £200,000 and with £15 million ring-fenced support for the purchase of homes sold by smaller developers, from a total budget of £55 million.
It bridges the gap between lower loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages now obtainable for new builds and the smaller deposits many households now have available to buy a new home.
Over the next two years the funding commitment for Help to Buy (Scotland) is:
- 2020-21 £50 million
- 2021-22 £55 million
79% of those supported by the scheme in 2018/19 were young people aged 35 and under.
An independent evaluation of the Scottish Government shared equity schemes, including Help to Buy has been published. This work was undertaken prior to the COVID-19 crisis.
Councillors give green light to more student flats
‘A new lease of life’ for Abbeyhill?
A planning application for the development of student accommodation by property developer Glencairn Properties has been approved, subject to conditional cycle parking provision, by Edinburgh City Council’s Development Management Sub-Committee on Tuesday.
The site is located at the corner of Montrose Terrace and West Norton Place next to the General Store and across from the Abbeymount studios. The proposals will introduce a characterful building which has been designed to ‘complete’ the original plans for the street set out in the 1800’s.
Developers say the plans will ‘deliver a high quality, sustainable building that will contribute to the regeneration of the former petrol station at the site’.
The site is the gap site left by the former Shell petrol station which was built in 1970 and was closed in 2011 following a fuel leak. Works to remediate the site and clean the ground started in 2012 but significant contamination remains.
The proposed purpose built student accommodation will provide living space for students and activation of this corner site. It comprises a building of circa 141 student units in a mix of clusters and studios, together with space for use by the students, common areas, a laundry, gym, cycle parking and underground bin stores.
The Montrose Terrace proposals will support the growth ambitions of the universities and colleges in Edinburgh which are major drivers of the local economy, providing accommodation for new researchers and students, as well as supporting business and tourism activity indirectly.
The development will not only deliver jobs during construction, but on completion will deliver further employment opportunities in terms of maintenance and support staff.
An increased student population will also deliver additional expenditure on items such as food, clothing and eating out.
Economic impact studies for the University of Edinburgh, Heriot Watt University and Edinburgh Napier University estimate that on average each student spends around £12,000 per annum, injecting more than £275m in the city economy annually.
They also indicate that one job in the city is supported by the spending of every 11 students.
Daryl Teague, Managing Director at Glencairn Properties, said: “We’re thrilled our application has been approved and the strong community support we received for it.
“These proposals will redevelop a vital location in the heart of the capital and help to tackle Edinburgh’s growing student accommodation without removing available properties from housing stock.
“We believe that these proposals are in line with City of Edinburgh Council’s stated aim to deliver purpose-built student accommodation throughout the city, reducing pressure on mainstream housing stock.
“Montrose Terrace not only makes use of a derelict site but offers a realistic use for the location without placing additional parking or access issues on the immediate community.
“The plans represent the conclusion of a collaborative discussion about how best to make this site work. Glencairn consulted widely with stakeholders and the community to ensure this site represented the kind of forwarded momentum the city-centre needs.
“We welcome today’s vote, and Glencairn is thrilled to offer a new lease of life to Montrose Terrace.”
Sales of Canonmills Garden continue apace during Lockdown
Home sales at Artisan Real Estate’s Canonmills Garden development are continuing apace despite the challenging sales environment imposed by the coronavirus lockdown.
A combination of smart technology and the human touch is helping Canonmills Garden to remain front-of-mind with home buyers, with 82 sales and reservations now confirmed out of the 135 apartments still available for private sale.
Responding to the unparalleled restrictions in the face-to-face selling process following lockdown, Artisan has invested in its digital marketing platforms creating an innovative customer visitor experience that is not only boosting home sales but is also supporting Scotland’s health service.
This month sees the much-anticipated release of the Sophora homes’ phase – a collection of one, two and three-bedroom luxury apartments with views towards Edinburgh Castle and into a courtyard garden.
To reflect the unique challenges of current circumstances, Artisan is using this sales opportunity to launch its ‘Hope and Hold’ scheme. Rather than paying the usual reservation fee of £1000, purchasers are being asked to donate £250 directly to the Scottish NHS to secure their home, then paying the £750 balance once lockdown is over.
“Artisan is an independent, niche developer which has given us the freedom to react quickly to current circumstances and create a unique proposition which reflects the challenges of our times,” explains Charlotte Swanson, Artisan’s Regional Development Manager.
“We had a huge advantage in that, even before lockdown, we were pushing a 60 per-cent success rate despite all sales being off-plan and all marketing activity up to that point being conducted off site.
“As soon as lockdown kicked in, we moved quickly to invest in making our website-based visitor experience even more user friendly, introducing chat-boxes directly linked to our sales team as well as cutting-edge interactive graphics including virtual presentations and 3D apartment walk-throughs.
“And with our Hope and Hold scheme, we have created a straightforward yet impactful mechanism which allows buyers to reserve a new apartment by simply donating £250 to the Scottish NHS – allowing us to make a very powerful statement of intent and support for our wonderful health workers here in Scotland.”
She added: “It is testament to the confidence we have in our revamped sales proposition that we are still continuing with the release of our latest homes phase, Sophora, despite the restrictions posed by the current sales environment.”
Technological innovation includes an interactive 3D visual tour through of the latest apartment designs with views both inside and out, in advance of the real-life show home and marketing suite, which is still on course to be launched in the summer: https://artisan.
Artisan has also invested heavily in its social media reach, using Facebook and Instagram in particular to reach new audiences and making it easy for them to access the tailored and bespoke sales material.
Critical to the success of the virtual sales process is Artisan’s dedicated sales and marketing team which is supporting its residential offering across Scotland. Christie Turner and Izzy Bastani, both formerly in sales consultant positions at Savills, took up their new roles in 2019 and are now providing the ‘human touch’ behind the technology.
“It’s still as important as ever to provide personal contact with buyers, even if it can’t be face-to-face,” says Christie. “We have developed a suite of personal video presentations tailored to buyer specifications to make that important connection, as well as ensuring instant one-to-one contact using our social media platforms
She adds: “Buyers will quickly see that Artisan is not your typical house-builder. The specification of Canonmills Garden is amongst the highest in Scotland, with premium Kitchens International kitchens and Victor Paris bathrooms throughout. Generous internal proportions and access to private gardens or balconies mean that savvy buyers are getting tremendous value for money in a much sought-after corner of the city, close to the vibrant Stockbridge area.”
Artisan Real Estate is best known in Scotland for their large-scale city regeneration projects like New Waverley currently transforming Edinburgh’s historic Old Town.
Remaining true to its urban regeneration credentials, at the heart of all Artisan’s developments is a strong sense of place. Formerly the site of a B&Q retail store, the spectacularly landscaped Canonmills Garden has already been shortlisted for both the Apartment Development of the Year and Large Development of the Year categories at this year’s Scottish Homes Awards.
A range of apartments, including the new Sophora homes’ phase is now available with prices starting at £335,000.
For more information about this and the Hope and Hold deposit scheme, visit www.canonmillsgarden.com.
Coronavirus widens housing gap, says report
One-in-eight (13 per cent) private renters have fallen behind with their housing costs since the coronavirus crisis started, compared to just one-in-twelve (8 per cent) mortgaged home owners, highlighting how the pandemic has exacerbated Britain’s housing divide, according to new Resolution Foundation research.
The report, based on a YouGov survey of 6,005 UK adults aged 18-65 and supported by the Health Foundation, provides a timely take on the impact of the crisis so far across different housing tenures, including how people have coped with meeting their housing costs, what support they’ve been able to access, and how housing costs have affected their wider spending patterns.
The report notes that one-in-five (20 per cent) private renters have been furloughed or lost their job since the crisis began, compared to around one-in-seven (14 per cent) mortgaged home owners. However, home owners are more likely to have had their hours reduced and less pay (15 per cent, compared to 12 per cent).
An even bigger divide opens up when it comes to meeting their housing costs, says the report. Around one-in-eight private renters (13 per cent) report falling behind on their housing costs, compared to just one-in-twelve (8 per cent) home owners with a mortgage.
The Foundation says private renters’ bigger struggle to meet their housing costs in part reflects the fact that they face higher costs in the first place – their average pre-crisis housing costs were 32 per cent of their family’s income, compared to 11 per cent among mortgaged homeowners.
The survey shows they also have less of a financial buffer to fall back on, with almost one-in-four (23 per cent) private renters having no savings in the run-up to the crisis, compared to one-in-eight home owners (11 per cent).
While renters receive more generous benefit support than mortgagors, home owners with a mortgage have been more successful in accessing support outside of the social security system to cope with the crisis.
One-in-seven (13 per cent) have applied for a mortgage holiday, the vast majority of which have been accepted. In contrast, just one-in-ten private renters have asked for a rent reduction from their landlord (10 per cent), and just half of those requests were successful (50 per cent).
The Foundation notes that this housing cost squeeze has forced many people living in private rented accommodation to cut back on basic spending or, in the case of young people, to move house.
One-in-four (25 per cent) private renters have reduced other spending to cope with meeting their housing costs. Of these renters, half (54 per cent) report currently being unable to afford basics such as fresh fruit and veg, or to save £10 or more a month.
Around one-in-ten (10 per cent) private renters have moved house. Around half (47 per cent) of those who have moved house are 18-24 year olds, while three in five (62 per cent) have moved in with their parents.
Lindsay Judge, Principal Research and Policy Analysts at the Resolution Foundation, said: “Britain already had a huge housing divide before coronavirus struck, and the current economic crisis has only widened that gap.
“People living in private rented accommodation have found it harder to meet their housing costs than homeowners in recent months, and harder to negotiate reductions in those costs. The result is that a quarter are cutting back on other spending, in many cases on essentials, to cover their rent during this crisis.
“Policy makers need to recognise that, while the 1990s recession was infamously most severe for the UK’s home owners, this recession is biting hardest for renters.”