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Creating a community at Canonmills Gardens

Dozens of homeowners at a new Edinburgh development got the chance to meet their future neighbours at the best venue possible – the pub that will become their ‘local’.

Property developer Artisan Real Estate hosted an innovative “Meet Your Neighbours” event for buyers of properties at Canonmills Gardens to encourage the creation of a close-knit community ahead of the development’s completion later this year.

Buyers and their friends turned out for an evening of drinks and canapés at their new local, One Canonmills, as well as the chance to chat and get to know each other.

Jointly-sold by Gilson Gray and Savills, Canonmills Gardens is situated within Edinburgh’s vibrant Canonmills area – a short distance from Stockbridge and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Charlotte Swanson, Regional Development Manager for the North at Artisan, said: “After the success of our summer “Meet the Neighbours” garden party we decided to host another event at what is effectively the local pub in Canonmills.

“We’ve had some really nice, positive feedback from buyers and their friends which is always lovely to hear. Many of the guests remarked on how rare it is to meet and get to know your neighbours before you move into a new home.”

The development comprises 180 one, two, three and four-bedroom properties and has already attracted a variety of diverse buyers – from upsizers and first-time buyers to empty-nesters.

The first two phases have almost sold out – with only a limited range of one- and two-bedroom apartments and a luxury three-bedroom colony home overlooking Canonmills Gardens left to purchase.

Rob McGregor, Associate Director of Property Sales at Gilson Gray, said, “As well as the perfect opportunity for new owners to meet the neighbours, the event was also an opportunity for friends and family to experience more of the Canonmills area before they move.

“It represented a genuine feeling of people coming together to create a new community in the area. I’m sure that there were friendships already being formed and people talking about meeting up for walks, events and sporting activities.”

Charlotte added: “As an added incentive, we gifted £500 John Lewis vouchers to both buyers and friends if a friend also registered to buy a property at Canonmills Gardens.”

Artisan Real Estate focuses on delivering sustainable, mixed-use developments, to create vibrant, high-quality environments.

For more information on Canonmillls Gardens, please visit https://www.canonmillsgarden.com/

Pictures: Chris Watt Photography

Andy Wightman launches tool for reporting short term lets

Scottish Green MSP Andy Wightman has launched an online tool which allows people to report short term let properties operating in their community.

The homesfirst.scot website includes a simple form which allows local residents to express concern where a whole property is no longer anyone’s permanent home and instead used for short term lets.

An interactive map will chart the locations to give users a better idea about where such properties are concentrated.

The Lothians MSP has campaigned for greater regulation of the properties, which can cause distress for local residents and a lack of affordable housing where concentrations exist.

After failing to back Andy Wightman’s amendments to the Planning BIll last year, the Scottish Government announced a licencing scheme earlier this month.

Andy Wightman said: “The growth in short-term lets is out of control in Edinburgh and of increasing concern across Scotland.

“The Scottish Government’s movement towards licencing is welcome but we still don’t have a clear picture of how many former homes have been given over to commercial purpose, and where they are concentrated. This tool will help us better understand the scale of the problem.”

https://www.homesfirst.scot/

Council appoints “empty homes officer”

The City of Edinburgh Council is working to bring much-needed homes back into use with the appointment of a dedicated ’empty homes officer’.

Supported by the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, which is funded by the Scottish Government and run by Shelter Scotland, the new post will strengthen the city’s ability to tackle the waste of long-term empty, privately-owned homes.

Edinburgh experiences the highest rents in Scotland and house prices are continuing to rise, placing pressure on housing supply and demand.

The post-holder will focus on advising home owners about their options, including selling their property or becoming a private landlord, making more homes available to buyers and renters. They will also use Council tax data to make sure additional levies on homes left empty for more than 12 months are applied appropriately, creating a financial incentive for home owners to take action.

The news comes after Scottish Government Ministers answered Edinburgh’s call for a new short term lets licencing regime earlier this month, with confirmation of greater powers for all local authorities in Scotland come Spring 2021.

Councillor Kate Campbell, Edinburgh’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “We face incredible pressure on housing supply in Edinburgh which is one of the key factors causing high rents. That’s why we have committed to building 20,000 affordable homes by 2027, why we’ve worked so hard to bring about regulation of short term lets and why we are continuing to work on building the case for a rent pressure zone.

“While less than 1% of homes in Edinburgh are empty for more than a year, we still have close to 100 cases where we know vacant properties could be providing safe, warm and much needed homes. Returning these homes to their proper use will be the priority of our empty homes officer and will be another important tool for increasing the number of homes available for residents to live in.”

“Empty homes and derelict buildings can be a blight on communities which is why we invest £400,000 each year to support the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership. We are already seeing real results, with an increase of supply of good quality homes at a rate of 100 per month and over 5,000 in total.

“The key to this success is the network of dedicated Empty Homes Officers and that’s why I am pleased that the Council has now appointed someone to provide this vital service to help provide more homes for the people of Edinburgh. I strongly encourage local authorities across the country to follow Edinburgh’s lead in recognising the benefits of this approach and bring them to the communities they serve.”

Shaheena Din, National Manager for the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the council to kick start an empty homes service in Edinburgh. The city has one of the most pressured housing markets in Scotland and it makes no sense for properties to be sitting empty, potentially causing problems for neighbours, when they could be homes for people.

“Last year 1,128 homes were brought back into use following intervention by a local council in Scotland, more than 90% of them in areas with a dedicated empty homes officer. We look forward to Edinburgh seeing fantastic results from the new service.”

After selling out all 21 colonies less than six months after launching Waterfront Plaza, CALA Homes (East) is now bringing to market a selection of modern two and three-bedroom apartments at its flourishing Leith development. Continue reading Strong colony sales followed with launch of new Waterfront apartments

Tag: housing