Tag: housing

The changing face of Craigmillar

It’s not only Muirhouse that’s changing – the regeneration of Craigmillar continues apace …

Glasgow-based construction firm CCG (Scotland) Ltd is continuing to deliver affordable housing for the city of Edinburgh with a sustained focus in the east of the city where the company is currently building 111 new affordable homes as part of the first phase of the Craigmillar Town Centre Masterplan on behalf of Dunedin Canmore – part of Wheatley Group. Scheduled for completion in summer 2018, sites 19 and 20 will consist of 54 new homes for social rent and a further 57 for mid-market rent.

The Craigmillar Town Centre Masterplan will see this entire area in the East of the city transformed through the creation of more affordable homes and a new retail centre, along with a public square and neighbouring community play park.

The new development at sites 19 and 20 builds on other work CCG has delivered in the area over the past three years, including the development of the former Niddrie Mill Primary School into ‘The Schoolhouse’ – a mixed-tenure development of 66 homes, as well as the creation of the Thistle Foundation Centre for Health and Wellbeing.

CCG Director, Calum Murray said: “These 111 new homes will provide high quality, affordable housing for the community of Craigmillar as well as contributing toward the city’s affordable housing supply. These are not the only benefits as through this development CCG is also creating valued work placements and apprenticeships with four trade apprentices currently based on site, as well as donating money and resources to local initiatives such as the Craigmillar Literacy Trust, Grass Roots Clothing and the Castlebrae School Memorial Garden.”

The new homes are being constructed using a timber frame system that is manufactured in CCG’s bespoke off-site manufacturing facility in Cambuslang. Delivered to site complete with insulation, internal wall linings, windows and doors pre-installed, the system brings assurances of quality and a faster speed of construction – the entire development was completed wind and water tight in just 29 weeks. Also highly energy efficient, the thermal performance of the timber frame system will bring long-term energy savings for future residents who will begin to move in early 2018.

As Craigmillar 19 and 20 has progressed, CCG has also worked with the City of Edinburgh Council on an additional development in Craigmillar, sites 12-15, as well as a new 75-home residential development in Greendykes.

Mr Murray continued:  “The Craigmillar Town Centre Masterplan is a project for the long term as we hope to deliver a further 194 homes at Craigmillar 12-15 in 2018. In addition, we are continuing to work in other areas of the city and the new development at Greendykes will bring much needed affordable housing to the area. Our developments team has worked tirelessly to bring this site forward and we hope to have our spades in the ground in summer 2018.”

Housing and Economy Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, Cllr Gavin Barrie added: “These new developments at Craigmillar town centre will provide much needed new housing in the east of Edinburgh, with homes for social and mid-market rent.

“The developments in Greendykes and Craigmillar are a brilliant example of how the Council and our housing association partners are delivering on the joint commitment to build 20,000 new affordable homes in Edinburgh over the next 10 years.

“The Council’s commitment alongside Dunedin Canmore won’t just deliver new homes – we expect our investment to deliver community benefits, provide opportunities for local businesses as well as allowing apprentices to continue their training.”

Lothian landlord event to “reduce perils” of new tenancy agreements

Scotland’s largest landlord membership organisation, in partnership with the Scottish Government, will be holding an information event for Edinburgh and Lothians landlords to understand their new responsibilities when a new tenancy agreement for the Private Rented Sector (PRS) comes in to force in December. 

The event, which is free and open to anyone who lets out property, takes place at Queen Margaret University on Tuesday 24 October from 6pm – 8.30pm. Continue reading Lothian landlord event to “reduce perils” of new tenancy agreements

Bield Housing to close residential care homes

Edinburgh-based Bield Housing, one of Scotland’s biggest providers of elderly care, is to close its residential care homes. Bield’s announcement will see the closure of twelve homes – two of which are in Edinburgh. Continue reading Bield Housing to close residential care homes

As simple as ABC: renters at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning

  • One in three renters do not have a life-saving carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in their home
  • Four in five renters felt it was their landlord’s responsibility to provide a CO alarm in their property
  • Government urged to go further to protect tenants from co poisoning
  • Nearly half of renters in Leeds do not have a CO alarm
  • Protect yourself and your family by following the ABC guide – Do you have an Alarm fitted? Have you tested it and are the Batteries working? Have you had an up to date gas Check?

New research for the ‘Carbon Monoxide Be Alarmed!’ campaign has revealed that almost a third of renters in the UK do not have a life-saving CO alarm in their property, with four in five unaware that it is their responsibility – and not their landlord’s – to provide one. Continue reading As simple as ABC: renters at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning

Scottish Housing Day: ‘population is better housed today than it has ever been’

Scottish Housing Day: New poll shows mixed housing experience across Scotland

83% of Scots are satisfied with their current housing situation while 16% are not, according to an exclusive new opinion poll commissioned to coincide with Scottish Housing Day, which takes place today, 21st September 2017. The poll also found that three quarters of Scots aspire to own their own home and that young adults face the biggest gap between their current housing situation and the type of housing in which they would ideally like to live. Continue reading Scottish Housing Day: ‘population is better housed today than it has ever been’

Green report shows taxing derelict land could help tackle housing crisis

A new report by Andy Wightman MSP, Housing and Land Reform spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, shows that giving local councils the power to tax the 20,000 football pitches’ worth of vacant and derelict land in Scotland could generate £200 million a year to build affordable homes and tackle the housing crisis. Continue reading Green report shows taxing derelict land could help tackle housing crisis

Affordable homes boost but Greens offer radical alternative

The number of affordable homes approved over the year to the end June 2017 has increased by 30% on the previous year, bringing the total number of approvals over the year to 10,612. The government says the figures show good progress but the Scottish Greens will put forward their own plans to improve housing stock in a Holyrood debate later today. Continue reading Affordable homes boost but Greens offer radical alternative

New residents welcomed at St Nicholas Court

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has welcomed more residents into its St Nicholas Court sheltered housing complex on Ferry Road.

As part of a £1.6 million project, eight one bedroom flats were completed by Glasgow-based construction specialists, CCG, earlier in the summer. A sun lounge and guest bedroom, plus additional landscaping – including allotment plots for the residents to grow their own fruit, vegetables and flowers – have also been created

The heating system and bathrooms have also been upgraded in the original 35-bedroom development which was built in 1983.

Maureen Tait, Sheltered Housing Services Manager at PoLHA, said: “Our St Nicholas Court development has always been a popular choice for people seeking sheltered housing, so we’re thrilled to be able to give more people the opportunity to live here.

“We’re all really enjoying welcoming our eight new residents into these fantastic flats and hope that they make many happy memories in their new homes.”

New tenant Frances McPherson said: “I previously lived in a flat in Lorne Street for 50 years, but my husband has COPD and the stairs were proving difficult. We are delighted with our new home as it’s lovely and bright and requires no decorating. Plus, our four-year-old granddaughter is looking forward to sleepovers.”

Another new tenant Jane Kelly said: “It is lovely living here. It’s a big change as I lived in my last home for 51 years. I’m getting used to the open plan living layout and I’ve had my granddaughter across who has helped me make it feel like home with photographs and ornaments.”

Calum Murray, Director at CCG, said: “Over recent years CCG has become more and more active in the region of Edinburgh with a broad range of contracts ranging from new build housing to upgrade and renewal. We have worked with Port of Leith Housing Association on many of these contracts and we were delighted to continue this partnership with St Nicholas Court.

“The new residents across the development will benefit from savings on their energy bills thanks to the upgrades to their heating and the installation of solar PV on the roof as well as the enhanced accessibility brought by the new landscaping.”