Andy Wightman MSP, Housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, has today launched his “Homes First” campaign to control the rapid and unregulated growth of short-term lets, where owners of residential properties offer them as holiday accommodation. Continue reading Homes First: Wightman launches campaign to control short-term lets
The winners of Scotland’s annual awards for excellence in housing were announced at a special awards dinner at Murrayfield Stadium on 27 October. Thirteen award category winners were announced alongside a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to Mary Taylor in recognition of her services to Scotland’s housing sector. Continue reading Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland Excellence Award winners announced
New group aims to end use of B & B accommodation
The city council has created a new homelessness task force to investigate the growing problem in the city. Chaired by the ‘Homelessness Champion’, Councillor Kate Campbell, the task force will review the use of bed and breakfast accommodation and explore alternatives that could better meet the needs of individuals and families, with an aim to end the use of bed and breakfast accommodation. Continue reading City council sets up homelessness taskforce
The City of Edinburgh Council has outlined a detailed plan to deliver the first phase of the Capital Coalition’s commitment to build 20,000 affordable homes over the next ten years. Continue reading Council outlines plan for 20,000 affordable homes
Thursday 2nd November 9.15am
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
A partnership between Port of Leith Housing Association,the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government has delivered a new community of affordable homes in Leith. An opening ceremony will take place today at the site of the 18th century Leith Fort, which was the original home of Edinburgh Castle’s world famous One o’clock gun. Continue reading Starting gun sounds for historic Leith Fort site
Committee hears ‘homeowner distress’
After hearing from distressed homeowners, a Holyrood Committee is today calling for more homebuyer support – particularly for new build homeowners – in the event of building defects and poor build quality. In a wide ranging report, the Local Government and Communities Committee identified a number of improvements that could be made to building regulations and fire safety standards in Scotland. Continue reading Holyrood call for greater support for new build homebuyers
The city council has launched a campaign to encourage flat owners to work together to keep their properties in good repair as we move towards winter.
Continue reading Council launches campaign to encourage communal repairs
An induction day has been held for 22 new apprentices joining the Council to work in the housing service.
Continue reading You’re hired: 22 new apprentices join city council’s housing service
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.”
