Tag: Lovell Partnerships

Housing minister marks completion of affordable homes in Mayfield

Lovell Partnerships has officially completed all affordable housing at its Oakwood Edge development in Mayfield, near Dalkeith. The Scottish Housing Minister, Paul McLennan, visited last to mark the handover to Melville Housing Association of the 39 high-quality, affordable  homes. 

The £7.1 million development, backed by £3.94 million in Scottish Government grant funding, has  provided a range of energy-efficient homes for social rent as part of a wider 156-home development. 

The mix of affordable housetypes includes 1 and 2-bedroom cottage flats, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom  terraced homes and 2 wheelchair-accessible bungalows, ensuring a variety of housing options to meet  different needs within the community. 

All homes at Oakwood Edge have been designed to meet high energy efficiency standards, with solar  PV panels and communal electric vehicle charging points. Four homes have also been enhanced to  achieve Net Zero status, featuring air source heat pumps, battery storage and triple glazing. 

Beyond providing much-needed affordable housing, Lovell has embedded social value throughout the  project, generating an impressive £1.7M in social and local economic value. Initiatives have included  community space improvements, education and cost-of-living support. 

Key social value contributions include: 

• Lovell, in partnership with their suppliers H&C Plumbing, Jordan Electrics, Phoenix Decorators,  Tough Construction and JAD joinery, supported local youth charity Y2K and Mayfield &  Easthouses Development Trust (MAEDT) to improve their community spaces.

• Local primary school students were invited on-site to learn about careers in construction as  well as health and safety. 

• Every social housing resident will receive an air fryer to help reduce energy bills. 

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Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “It was good to have a tour of Melville Housing Association’s  new social rented development and meet one of the tenants whose new home is part of Oakwood Edge near Dalkeith.

“What is particularly impressive about this development is the range, quality and  energy efficiency of these houses, alongside the existing community facilities in the area. 

“We’re pleased to have provided £3.94 million in Scottish Government grant funding for this project  and have a good track record in affordable housing, delivering more than 135,000 affordable homes  since 2007 including 95,000 for social rent and 26,306 council homes. 

“Furthermore, our budget of £768 million for 2025-26 will help tackle the housing emergency while  contributing towards our target of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.” 

Tony Rankin, Regional Managing Director at Lovell, said: “At Lovell, we believe building homes is about  more than bricks and mortar. It’s about creating lasting value for communities.

£Oakwood Edge is a  great demonstration of how we integrate social impact into every stage of development and we’re incredibly proud of what’s been achieved here alongside our partners, Melville Housing Association.” 

Donna Bogdanovic, Chair of Melville Housing Association, said: “This development, our second with  Lovell, is a fantastic example of how partnerships can deliver real results for communities.

The homes  at Oakwood Edge provide much-needed, high-quality social housing in an area of high demand. So far,  11 tenants have moved into their new homes and we’re delighted with the positive feedback we have  already received from our new tenants.” 

MAEDT Manager Sharon Hill said: “We are incredibly grateful for the contribution Lovell has made to  our community projects. Their practical support has strengthened the services we can offer to our  community.” 

To find out more about Lovell, visit: www.lovell.co.uk

Development underway on 400 new homes for South Queensferry

A sod cutting ceremony has been held to mark the beginning of the delivery of 100 new social homes for Sanctuary Scotland in South Queensferry.  

The properties are part of Lovell Partnerships’ The Crossings at Bridgewater Village development, which will bring around 400 homes to the area.  

The Crossings will be a mixed-tenure development of 398 homes and 14 commercial units, delivered in partnership by Lovell Partnerships, Sanctuary Scotland,  Sigma Capital, the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council 

Development of the new site is expected to deliver around 200 jobs, directly by Lovell and through the supply chain. Many of the new roles will be for apprentices, including joiners and bricklayers.  

Lovell is proud to support the local community everywhere they build and, in addition to creating jobs, has invested nearly £7million in local business. 

The sod cutting ceremony took place on Scottish Housing Day, which this year focuses on housing as a career. It was attended by City of Edinburgh Council Housing Convenor, Councillor Jane Meagher.  

The development is set to boost housing stock in the area, with several impressive views of the historic bridges crossing the Forth.   

Those properties not earmarked for Sanctuary Scotland will be rented by Sigma Capital or sold on the open market by Lovell Homes.  

The Crossings will include active travel infrastructure and measures such as rain gardens and green/blue infrastructure that work with the water cycle to promote the health of the site and proper water management.   

The homes will also be environmentally sustainable, using solar panels and energy efficient boilers.   

The Crossings will be a 20-minute neighbourhood, meaning that residents will be able to have most of their daily needs met within a short walk or cycle. 

Sarah Freel, Head of Partnerships at Lovell, said: “We are particularly proud to be working with Sanctuary Scotland to provide social housing at this development, which will go towards achieving the Scottish Government’s target of building 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.

“With views of the historic Forth bridges and great access to amenities, this development is certain to be one of Edinburgh’s most desirable neighbourhoods.  

 “Today’s sod-cutting ceremony marks the start of this exciting new community, which will become home to many families over the coming years.”   

Gillian Lavety, Sanctuary’s Development Director for Scotland, commented: “As a leading national housing association, we’re committed to ensuring local people have access to affordable, good-quality homes. 

“The Crossings at Bridgewater Village is an exciting development that will make a real difference, and we’re delighted to be working with our partners to help meet the established need for more affordable homes in the area.” 

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, Councillor Jane Meagher said: “Today marks Scottish Housing Day and it is important to use this opportunity to reflect on this hugely important sector, not just here in Edinburgh but across the country.  

“It was fantastic to be able to mark the day by attending the ceremony to see the start of construction of one hundred social rented homes here in South Queensferry. 

“This exciting start represents an important step forward in the area’s development and will help to alleviate some of the critical pressures that face the Edinburgh’s housing sector.” 

Lovell breaks ground for new Midlothian homes

Lovell Partnerships has marked the start of an exciting new housing development in Midlothian with a sod cutting ceremony.

The event took place at the Oakwood Edge site, near Dalkeith, to officially celebrate the beginning of construction at the eagerly anticipated Lovell development.

Oakwood Edge will offer a range of stunning new two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes, with 39 of the homes to be provided for social use by Melville Housing Association, on the land owned by Lovell.

The new homes will make a significant contribution towards tackling the housing shortage in the local area.

Donna Bogdanovic, Chair of Melville Housing Association, officially broke the ground at the event, which was attended by staff from Lovell, Melville Housing Association, and Hardies Property and Construction Consultants. 

Oakwood Edge is ideally located, close to Dalkeith, Newtongrange, and Mayfield, and will enjoy considerable local amenities, as well as easy access to Edinburgh.

A play park and an art installation will also form part of the new development, in line with Lovell Partnerships’ commitment to providing community benefits and social value where it builds.

This development will be one of the first to benefit from Lovell energy efficient homes, helping to reduce the heating and lighting bills for the Melville Housing Association residents.

Lovell thanks all its partners who joined in to mark this crucial stage at Oakwood Edge and expresses its excitement at the prospect of bringing these key homes to the area.

Sarah Freel, Head of Partnerships at Lovell, said: “Oakwood Edge is an incredibly exciting development for Lovell and our partners, so it was wonderful to see the ceremonial first shovel going into the ground on it.

“As a partnership housebuilder, we’re delighted to be working with Melville Housing Association to deliver this development. Oakwood Edge is an example of how partnership working can benefit communities and the local economy, whilst creating numerous jobs and training opportunities.

“I’d like to express our gratitude to everyone involved in this sod cutting ceremony and thank them for their continued dedication to making Oakwood Edge a great place for families to live.” 

Donna Bogdanovic, Chair of Melville Housing Association, said: “It was my pleasure to take part in the sod cutting for Oakwood Edge which marks the continuation of a productive relationship between Melville and Lovell that began more than 15 years ago.

“This exciting opportunity, made possible thanks to Scottish Government funding and support from Midlothian Council, will allow us to help some of those on Midlothian’s huge social housing waiting list who are desperately waiting for a quality affordable home.

“On behalf of everyone at Melville Housing Association, I would like to say just how much we’re looking forward to following the progress of this exciting project and, when the time comes, welcoming tenants to the Oakwood Edge development.”