Tag: housing

Foundations mark next phase of Powderhall regeneration

Foundations have been laid on the next phase of the Powderhall regeneration, marking significant progress in delivering new homes and an educational facility as part of the long-term transformation of the former waste transfer station, bowling greens and adjacent stables sites.

Above-ground construction is now underway on the former bowling greens site, where contractors CCG (Scotland) are installing substructures, foundations and drainage.

This phase will deliver 27 council homes for older people alongside a 128-place early years centre and improvements to St Mark’s Path which is part of QuietRoute 20. The homes will deliver much needed affordable housing in the city centre including 19 wheelchair adapted homes which there is an acute shortage of across the city.

The new nursery, which will be managed by Broughton Primary School, is part of the city’s expansion of early learning and childcare provision and will increase the accessibility, affordability, flexibility and quality of funded early learning and childcare places to meet the needs of the local community.

The regeneration of Powderhall also includes the restoration of the historic Powderhall Stables into flexible workspace and artist studios, which is due to open soon, and upgrades to the Broughton Road and McDonald Road junction.

The final phase of the project will redevelop the former waste transfer station site where over 200 new affordable and private homes, as well as a new civic square on Broughton Road, will be built.

The complete  redevelopment of Powderhall will create a new residential neighbourhood alongside community facilities, green space and improved walking and cycling routes completing the transformation of Powderhall into a vibrant new neighbourhood.

The development received a £1.4m funding boost from the Scottish Government through the Vacant & Derelict Land Investment Programme.

Councillor Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “This is a very exciting moment for the Powderhall regeneration. Seeing foundations now laid for the next phase marks real progress in delivering more homes our city urgently needs.

“I am looking forward to seeing the new affordable homes and early years centre take shape. Once all phases of Powderhall are complete there will be more than 200 homes alongside new community facilities and green space. This development will create a vibrant and inclusive new neighbourhood for people to live and thrive in.

“Two years on from declaring a housing emergency, we know we must keep pushing forward with solutions to deliver more housing at pace. Plans to regenerate city centre brownfield sites such as the former waste transfer station will form part of this.”

CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “Powderhall will soon become a valued asset for Canonmills. Not only will it help to address the growing demand for amenity housing and nursery spaces, but its delivery will also help to create a lasting positive legacy for the wider community, far beyond bricks and mortar.

“Six new jobs, one trade apprenticeship and 13 work placements are set to be created, alongside £7,500 of investment and a commitment to undertake 50 volunteering days in support of Broughton Primary School.

“We thank the City of Edinburgh Council for their continued support, and I look forward to seeing how construction will take shape in the months ahead.”

Victory for campaigners as rogue landlords struck off

On Monday Living Rent campaigners took action outside Edinburgh City Chambers as the councillors voted to strike off four landlords from the landlord register.

Living Rent said: ‘This is a big win and shows the tide is turning against landlords in the city who thought they were untouchable. But now the council needs to go further and faster if they are going to fully clamp down on the city’s rogue landlords.

‘Across the city, many of Edinburgh’s tenants are being forced to live under the thumb of rogue landlords who force tenants to live in slum-like conditions, with chronic disrepair, force up the rent illegally, threaten and abuse the privacy of tenants and neglect their legal responsibility as a landlord.

‘Everyone should have a safe, warm and affordable home. The council has proven they can take action, now they need to go further and clamp down on all rogue landlords across the city!’

New affordable homes planned for Leith

A high-quality, energy efficient development at Coatfield Lane, Leith will deliver much-needed family housing and improved greenspace.

Plans to deliver 49 new affordable homes at Coatfield Lane have been approved, marking a significant step forward in the Council’s ongoing programme to increase the supply of high-quality affordable housing across the city.

The new homes will be delivered on behalf of the Council by CCG (Scotland) Ltd in collaboration with Collective Architecture. The development, designed to meet a range of housing needs will include a mix of 1–4 bedroom flats and family houses and will be located in the heart of the Leith Conservation Area, close to the historic Kirkgate.

The homes will be well insulated and highly energy efficient thanks to a combination of advanced construction methods and the adoption of air source heat pump technology.

In addition to the homes, the project will provide improvements to the existing public realm including greenspaces, rain gardens and biodiverse planting.

Councillor Tim Pogson, the Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “This approval is a vital step in tackling the housing emergency facing our city. Unfortunately too many people are struggling to find a safe, secure and affordable place to call home and developments like this are a key part of the solution.

“The 49 new homes will not only provide much-needed accommodation for residents, but they do so in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and community-focused. And, as we build these new homes, we’ll create well designed places that respect the historic character of the area while delivering modern high-quality homes.

“I look forward to seeing work get underway and to welcoming the first residents into a vibrant new part of the community.”

CCG Managing Director David Wylie said: “We are delighted that plans for 49 affordable homes at Coatfield Lane have now been approved.

“Our team has worked collaboratively with the design partners to develop the proposals and realise the Council’s aspirations to deliver what will be a transformative development for the Leith community, and we look forward to commencing construction later this year.”

Collective Architecture said: “We’re delighted that the scheme has received planning approval.

“The new homes are sensitively integrated into the historic Kirkgate setting, sitting comfortably within the existing urban grain and immediately adjacent to the Category A-Listed Linksview House.

“Our proposals enhance the surrounding public realm and prioritise high quality architectural and urban design, incorporating social and environmental needs. This approach ensures meaningful benefits for both new residents and the existing community in Leith.”

New Framework Agreement in place to deliver £350m worth of housing projects in Edinburgh

The first part of a Framework Agreement to support the delivery of new, affordable homes in Edinburgh, worth around £350m, is now live.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s four-year New Build Housing Framework Agreement will provide an efficient route to procure the construction of new build housing. This will help tackle the city’s housing emergency by aiding the Council’s ambition to deliver 25,000 affordable homes.

Lot 1, the first of two lots encompassed by the Framework, was approved by Finance and Resources Committee in January and, after a mandatory standstill period, is now live. The Lot is split into three sub-Lots based upon the size of prospective sites – one to 30 homes, 31 to 100 homes and 100+ homes. By splitting Lot 1 into sub-Lots the Council aimed to encourage greater participation from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), reducing overall reliance on a small number of contractors.

Now that successful contractors have been awarded a place under the Agreement, the Council can progress housebuilding projects with them more quickly, without the need for a full tender process each time.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, Councillor Tim Pogson, said: “We’re fully committed to addressing the housing emergency in Edinburgh, pledging a record £1.6bn to housebuilding in this year’s budget, helping to realise our ambition to build 25,000 new affordable homes across the city.

“Procuring the right contractors to deliver these homes can take time, so I’m pleased that Lot 1 of the New Build Housing Framework Agreement is now in place, helping to streamline the process and letting us tackle the issue at pace.

“Our Procurement Service’s innovative approach to the Framework has opened opportunities to a broader range of contractors, including SMEs, increasing capacity for house building projects.”

Lot 2 will focus on collaboration, allowing the Council to work with other partners to jointly procure sites to achieve economies of scale.

A further award report for Lot 2 will be presented to Finance and Resources Committee in the coming months. Contracts awarded under both Lots of the New Build Housing Framework Agreement are valued in total at an estimated £600m.

A robust tender process carried out by Commercial and Procurement Services involved engagement with the market and attracted 22 responses across both Lots.

According to the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA3) for the South-East Scotland area, there is demand for between 36,000 and 52,000 new homes in Edinburgh between 2021 to 2040, between 24,000 and 35,000 of which need to be affordable.

Read the report Award of New Build Housing Framework Agreement – Lot 1 online.

More than one in four people have experienced housing insecurity in the past five years, new Better Society Index reveals

More than a quarter (27%) of people in the UK say they or someone close to them has experienced housing insecurity in the past five years, according to new research from Better Society Capital (BSC).

Among younger adults aged 18-34, this rises to 47%, highlighting the growing prevalence of housing instability across younger generations in the UK.

Housing insecurity includes experiences such as sofa surfing, the risk of eviction, or time spent in temporary accommodation. Together, the findings suggest that housing insecurity has touched the lives of more than 13.5 million people* across the UK in recent years.

Despite this widespread experience, public understanding of how homelessness is funded and addressed locally remains limited. On average, people believe that 28% of their council tax goes toward homelessness services, which is almost ten times higher than preliminary local authority returns suggest. Half of respondents (52%) say they do not know how much is spent in their area.

Over half of the public surveyed (56%) support the use of public-private partnerships to deliver housing and homelessness services, with just 8% opposed, and emphasise proof of value for money, transparency and local accountability as drivers that would increase their level of support.

Charities and social enterprises are regarded as the most trustworthy organisations to deliver housing and homelessness services effectively with 71% of respondents saying they would trust them to deliver, followed by housing associations (55%) and local authorities (47%).

Similarly, more than half of respondents (52%) said they would be willing to invest a portion of their own savings or pension in products tackling social issues such as homelessness, provided this had little impact on their financial returns.

10% of respondents overall said they would be willing to do so regardless of the impact on returns. With just 0.05% of total UK pension assets currently allocated to social impact investment – an approach to investing that seeks to tackle social issues generating positive social impact alongside financial returns – this suggests significant untapped potential.

These pressures are already being felt by councils. Local authorities responding to the inaugural Better Society Index reported a combined £1.65bn in expenditure on homelessness services in 2024/25, with a median year-on-year increase of 10.62% (mean of 18.57%).

Temporary accommodation continues to be a major driver of costs, with councils recording more than 3,000 people needing housing every night for the last year alone. At the same time, there is wide variation in both spending and demand between areas, with urban councils typically facing higher levels of pressure.

In more than half of local authorities, cost pressures from homelessness services outstrip entire planning and development budgets and are on par with expenditure on highways and transport services.

Table 1: Region by Region Breakdown of Spending Trends (2023/2024 – 2024/2025)

Across the UK, the spending trends across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales suggest an average spending increase 2023/2024 – 2024/2025 of 18.57 per cent.  However, regional disparities emerge, as set out in Table 1 below.

Region/NationRegional Average Year on Year Percentage Change in Spending (2023/2024 – 2024/2025)(positive % is an increase, negative % is a decrease) 
London43.67%
South East32.52%
Yorkshire and The Humber28.95%
East Midlands28.54%
North East17.50%
West Midlands15.45%
North West11.64%
East of England10.94%
Northern Ireland9.45%
South West5.78%
Scotland4.36%
Wales-2.53%

Drew Ritchie, Director of Better Society Capital comments: “This data freshly reminds us that homelessness is not a fringe issue. It is a major and pressing concern for both the public and the local councils working on their behalf.

“However, the analysis also highlights an appetite for innovative solutions. A majority of savers and pension holders would like to see their money make a difference.

“Public attitudes to private investment working alongside Government are positive and the public overwhelmingly trusts charities and social enterprises to deliver those services effectively.

“Social investment combines these key ingredients, building partnerships to deliver innovative finance solutions to tackle entrenched social issues and ensuring tax payer money goes further.

“After more than 10 years of investing into housing, we believe that social investment should be a bigger part of the solution to homelessness in the UK.

“The new Office for the Impact Economy in Cabinet Office is well-placed to coordinate efforts and use this insight into public attitudes to unlock impact finance solutions across government.

“We look forward to seeing how their partnership with social investors, philanthropists and responsible-driven business evolves to tackle joint problems.”

Cabinet Secretary for Housing visits Edinburgh housing development to mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Màiri McAllan, visited Barratt Homes’ Tower Street at Merchant Quay development in Leith yesterday to mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week and meet with current and former apprentices building their careers in the construction industry.

The visit highlighted the important role apprenticeships play in supporting Scotland’s housing sector, developing future talent and creating sustainable career opportunities. During the visit, the Cabinet Secretary toured the development, spoke with the site team and heard first-hand from apprentices about their experiences and career progression within the industry.

Tower Street at Merchant Quay, one of Barratt Homes East Scotland’s developments, features a range of one-, two-and three-bedroom apartments. Barratt Homes has numerous apprentices across a range of disciplines on their sites, with several Construction Managers, Site Managers and Senior Site Managers beginning their careers as apprentices, demonstrating the long-term career opportunities available within the business.  

Coordinated by Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Apprenticeship Week shines a spotlight on the power of apprenticeships to create careers, build businesses, grow the workforce and get real returns for the economy.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Màiri McAllan, said: “Apprentices are a central part of growing our economy and I’ve enjoyed hearing directly from the young people who are starting out their careers in the building industry. 

“Through the Scottish Government’s Future Planners Programme we’re also increasing the number of planners and supporting future improvements in the planning system by supporting students to study and gain real work experience.

“We know how important these programmes are to the success of the whole housing sector which our new agency, More Homes Scotland, will help to grow. I wish every success to our apprentices and thank them for their contribution to our future workforce.”  

Frank Mitchell, Skills Development Scotland Chair, said: “Scottish Apprenticeships provide real returns for employers, individuals and the economy. 

“People from all backgrounds are gaining meaningful career opportunities through apprenticeships, creating diverse workforces that benefits business and our society. At a time when employers are seeing skill shortages all over the country, apprenticeships have never been so important than they are now.”

Andrew Morrison, Managing Director of Barratt Homes East Scotland, said: “Scottish Apprenticeship Week is an important opportunity to recognise the incredible contribution apprentices make to our business and the wider construction industry.

“We were proud to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to our Tower Street at Merchant Quay development to meet some of our talented apprentices and hear about the vital work being done on site. Apprenticeships are fundamental to developing the next generation of skilled professionals and addressing the construction skills gap.

“At Barratt Homes, we are committed to investing in people, providing structured training and clear progression pathways so that individuals can build long and rewarding careers with us. “Developments like Tower Street at Merchant Quay demonstrate how investing in skills supports both local communities and Scotland’s housing ambitions.”

As one of the UK’s leading housebuilders, Barratt Redrow continues to play a central role in tackling Scotland’s housing challenges while supporting the local economy and helping to close the construction skills gap through investment in apprenticeships, graduate programmes and training initiatives.

For further information about Barratt Homes’ Tower Street at Merchant Quay development, visit: 

https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/dev002948-tower-street-at-merchant-quay/.

Work underway on new 99-home Salamander Yards development 

Construction is now underway at Salamander Yards, a landmark 99-home development set within one of Edinburgh’s most vibrant and popular neighbourhoods, Leith.

Located on Salamander Street, just moments from the buzzing heart of Leith and backing directly onto Leith Links, the development is a joint venture between five star housebuilder Cruden Homes and MNM Developments. The project will transform a former industrial site into a contemporary mixed-use neighbourhood, contributing to the continued regeneration and growing cultural energy of the Leith Waterfront.

Leith has become synonymous with independent retailers, creative workspaces, community-led events and some of the capital’s most celebrated restaurants and bars. From artisan coffee shops and street markets to waterside dining and cultural festivals, the area has evolved into one of Scotland’s most dynamic places to live.

Salamander Yards will provide a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with 35% of the homes allocated as affordable housing to help meet the growing demand for high-quality, accessible homes in the capital. The development will also feature two commercial units at ground level, further enhancing the area’s thriving business scene and creating a lively street presence.

Designed by 7N Architects, the development has been carefully crafted to complement Leith’s distinctive character, blending contemporary design with the area’s industrial heritage.

Residents will benefit from landscaped outdoor spaces, including a private courtyard, alongside enhanced public realm improvements on Salamander Street and new active travel routes to promote safer, more accessible cycling.

The new development backs directly onto Leith Links, one of Edinburgh’s most historic and well-loved green spaces, giving residents immediate access to expansive parkland, sports pitches and walking routes. 

Salamander Yards is situated close to excellent transport connections, including bus routes, established cycle paths and the tram network, offering outstanding connectivity to Edinburgh city centre and beyond.

Fraser Lynes, Chief Executive of Cruden, said: “Salamander Yards is a key contribution to the evolution of Leith Waterfront, helping to shape a vibrant and sustainable place for people to live.

Together with our partners at MNM Developments, we are proud to deliver high-quality homes, including much-needed affordable housing, in one of Edinburgh’s most exciting and culturally rich neighbourhoods.

“Backing onto Leith Links and just moments from the Shore, this development combines green space, connectivity and community in a truly unique setting.”

Marc Teague, Managing Director at MNM Developments, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Cruden to bring Salamander Yards to life.

“Leith continues to grow as a vibrant, creative and highly desirable place to live and work. This development not only delivers much-needed homes, but also supports the wider regeneration of the waterfront and enhances the strong sense of community that defines the area.”

Salamander Yards forms part of the wider regeneration of the Leith Waterfront, helping to create a thriving, mixed-use neighbourhood just minutes from the heart of the capital. First homes are due to complete in Spring 2027. 

Council steps up action to bring empty homes back into use

COUNCILLORS APPROVE NEW FIVE-YEAR EMPTY HOMES STRATEGY

The City of Edinburgh Council has made ‘strong progress’ over the past year in bringing empty homes back into use, as councillors approved a new five-year Empty Homes Strategy yesterday.

In the last year, 81 privately owned empty properties have been brought back into use bringing the total since 2023 to 149.

Edinburgh declared a housing emergency in November 2023 in response to challenges including rising homelessness, an acute shortage of social housing and growing pressure on temporary accommodation.

Bringing empty homes back into use is a key action within the Council’s Housing Emergency Action Plan, with a focus on supporting homeless households.

Following the recruitment of two additional Empty Homes Officers and a Housing Development Officer the team has increased efforts to identify properties earlier, work directly with owners and secure quicker routes to bring homes back into use.

Progress includes offering advice to owners of properties that have been empty for close to twelve months, participating in the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership matchmaker scheme and developing proposals for a new grant scheme linked to the Council’s Private Sector Leasing programme that would help owners make empty homes lettable, which would increase the supply of temporary accommodation available in the city.

Councillors approved the Empty Homes Strategy and Annual Report at Tuesday’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee which sets out how the Council will accelerate work over the next five years.

The strategy focuses on earlier identification of empty homes, targeted support for owners and the use of legal powers where appropriate to bring homes back into use.

Cllr Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “We’re committed to addressing the issue of empty homes across the city, to make sure that more properties are brought back into use and contribute to our housing stock.

“There are a variety of reasons why properties become empty, from legal and financial issues to personal circumstances and market dynamics. Our Empty Homes Team focuses on advising owners about their options, including selling their property or becoming a private landlord, helping to make more homes available to buyers and renters.

“With 149 homes made available since 2023 it’s great that people and families now have homes they would otherwise not have had, but there is still much more to do. We estimate there are over 3,000 empty homes in the city, with around 2,500 empty for more than twelve months.

“That is why we will continue to build on what has already been a very successful approach and encourage owners of empty homes to contact the Council for support to bring their property back into use.”

Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland mark New Homes Week with enhanced Part Exchange incentive

Research reveals new build homeowners save as much as £420 per year, while household carbon emissions are cut by up to 74%.

To mark New Homes Week 2026, Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, part of the UK’s leading housebuilder Barratt Redrow, have increased their Part Exchange incentive from £500 to £1,000 for people who are still living in their existing property when it is sold*.

With Part Exchange, when prospective homeowners purchase a new home with Barratt Homes or David Wilson Homes, the housebuilder becomes the guaranteed buyer for their existing property, taking the stress out of selling and helping them to move quicker and more easily.

Now in its 21st year, the annual New Homes Week campaign launched by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) aims to highlight the benefits of new build homes and provide a platform for the home building industry, homeowners and potential buyers to recognise the value of modern developments.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland’s enhanced Part Exchange incentive comes as new research from the Home Builders Federation demonstrates new build homes are far more cost and energy efficient than second hand homes, with homeowners typically saving over £420 a year**.

Based on data from Octopus Energy, the UK’s largest energy supplier, the Watt a Save report shows that energy bills for new build homes are 21% less than typical older properties.

Thanks to increasingly sustainable building practices and technology, the majority of new homes achieve an A or B Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). As a result, new build homeowners spend around £1,574 a year on energy, compared with £1,995 on older homes that typically have a D rating. Meanwhile people living in F and G rated homes – such as some Victorian properties – typically spent 39% more on their overall energy bills last year, compared to the average new build homeowner.

The Watt a Save report has been released today (Friday 6 February) to support national New Homes Week’s ‘Power to Save’ day, providing key evidence for people looking at the long-term running costs of their next home, before they buy.

In addition to cutting running costs, the findings show new build homes are helping to cut household carbon emissions by up to 74% every year, compared to older properties, meaning today’s new build buyers can significantly lower their carbon footprint without changing their habits.

Andrew Morrison, Managing Director at Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: “At Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, we’re committed to helping people move up or onto the property ladder.

“This New Homes Week, we’re highlighting our enhanced Part Exchange scheme, which removes the need for an onward chain and guarantees the sale of an existing home, taking the stress out of moving and helping buyers secure their ideal home.

“Our new homes across East Scotland are designed with energy efficiency and long-term performance at the forefront. Features such as solar panels, air source heat pumps, and modern insulation reduce running costs and environmental impact. Independent data shows how new-build homes outperform older properties, underlining the clear benefits of choosing a modern, future-proof home.”

Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive at the Home Builders Federation, said: “Buying a home marks a major milestone in our lives, yet for many, achieving that dream has become increasingly challenging.

“This New Homes Week we’re spotlighting the much-needed support home builders provide to make buying a new home more accessible – removing barriers and reducing uncertainty to make the goal of homeownership more achievable.

“By ensuring people understand their options and the benefits of buying a new build, we hope to empower more would-be buyers to take those steps to moving and beginning the next chapter of their lives.”

Barratt and David Wilson Homes are creating a range of new communities across East Scotland, including David Wilson Homes @ St Andrews in Fife, just a stone’s throw from world-renowned golf courses and beaches.

For more information about Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, visit:

www.barratthomes.co.uk/ and https://www.dwh.co.uk/

*Terms and Conditions apply

**Watt a Save, 2026, Home Builders Federation (HBF) and Octopus Energy.

Making social homes warmer and cleaner to heat

Latest grants from Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund

Communities from Shetland to Dumfries & Galloway have benefited from more than £19 million in Government funding to help make social housing more energy efficient and cleaner to heat.

Allocations from the latest funding round of the Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund published today show that 27 projects across the country made successful applications, bringing clean heating and energy efficiency improvements to around 2,300 social homes.

Improvements range from the installation of external and cavity wall insulation and double or triple glazing to individual and communal heat pumps, solar PV and battery storage. 

Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “Since 2021, the Scottish Government has provided almost £90 million of funding to social housing providers through this fund, helping to make more than 13,000 social homes warmer and easier and cleaner to heat.

“We are absolutely determined to tackle the twin challenges of cutting fuel poverty and reducing emissions from our homes and buildings, which can be particularly challenging with housing that is older or more difficult to heat because of its location or construction.

“I’m therefore delighted that we’ve been able to support so many social landlords to make these vital improvements. Emissions are being reduced and tenants are already benefiting from warmer homes and significant reductions in their energy bills, helping to take many households out of fuel poverty.”

Cloch Housing Association received a grant of £3.1m to support the installation of high-performance doors and triple-glazed windows to more than 550 properties in Inverclyde.

Robert Pollock, Director of Assets, Cloch Housing Association said: “Tenant feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with residents reporting significant reductions in external noise and improved heat retention within their homes.

“These enhancements are making a meaningful contribution to addressing fuel poverty by enabling tenants to heat their properties more efficiently and affordably.

“Furthermore, the resulting reduction in heating demand is delivering welcome carbon savings, aligning with our broader commitment to sustainable and resilient communities. We are grateful for the scheme’s support in enabling these improvements that deliver lasting benefits for our tenants and the environment.”

Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund Progress Reports February 2026