Barratt Developments welcomes local MSP to Leith’s award-winning Merchant Quay

Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith was welcomed by Barratt Developments to its Merchant Quay development on Friday (28 July) in celebration of its site manager’s Pride in the Job Quality Award win.

James O’Neill, site manager at Merchant Quay recently received the Pride in the Job Quality Award, known as the “Oscars of the housebuilding industry” from the National House Building Council (NHBC) setting them apart as one of the very best in the country.

This year, a total of 19 site managers from Barratt Developments Scotland, which includes Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, took home a top national award for the quality of the homes they are building – the most ever received by the housebuilder in Scotland.

Ben Macpherson MSP visited Merchant Quay and was given a tour of the development by award-winner James and Nick Wright, Development Director for Barratt Developments East Scotland.

Located in the bustling heart of Leith, Merchant Quay has an array of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Close to a range of cafes and shops, the development is a short distance to the city centre by bus or foot.

Nick Wright, Development Director for Barratt Developments East Scotland, said: “We were thrilled to welcome Ben Macpherson MSP to Merchant Quay and to demonstrate the quality which we are building across all tenures in his constituency.

“The Pride in the Job awards acknowledge the work we’re doing to showcase our commitment in building the highest standard of homes in Edinburgh and across Scotland, with our elite site managers demonstrating our award-winning customer care.”

Ben Macpherson said: “I was glad to visit the development at Merchant Quay and meet some of those involved in the project. As well as private housing, in partnership with local housing association Harbour, 53 high quality, warm affordable homes, of which 43 are for social rent, have been delivered.

“I was pleased to see that this affordable housing has been built as a priority and is already occupied and to learn that more affordable housing units will be delivered as part of the next phases of the development.

“It was interesting to learn how some of Leith’s industrial heritage has been preserved in the communal areas of the development, as many will know the area was previously a glassworks.

“It was also good to meet site manager James O’Neill, and personally congratulate him on his award, as well as hear directly from some apprentices who have been able to further develop their skills while working on the project.”

In addition to the recent Pride in the Job award wins, Barratt Developments has also been awarded 5 stars by its customers for satisfaction in the annual Home Builders Federation (HBF) new homes survey.

To be rated 5 star means that more than 90% of its customers would recommend one of its homes to a friend, with Barratt being the only major national housebuilder to be rated 5 star for 14 years in a row.

Find out more: If you would like to pay a visit to Merchant Quay and explore the Restalrig or Argyll show homes, find out more here.

Barratt Homes to transform disused land in Leith

Derelict brownfield land in Leith is set to be transformed into two new five-star housing developments by Barratt Homes.

The UK’s largest housebuilder has started construction of 212 homes on Baltic Street and plans for a 115 home development on South Fort Street are well underway. Named Merchant Quay and Heron Bank respectively, the new developments are expected to generate nearly 60 new jobs and create positions for at least five apprentices.

The construction of Heron Bank and Merchant Quay will also serve to boost the local economy; an economic footprint calculation predicts the developments will add more than £30m in financial output over their build period.

Both developments will also revitalise brownfield sites, with Merchant Quay previously housing a builders yard and Heron Bank home to a steel fabrication company. The regeneration these developments provide will only add to the already booming metropolitan progression of Leith.   

Building in these areas will also provide a significant contribution of much needed Affordable Housing units; Merchant Quay will deliver 43 plots, a mix of one, two and three-bed apartments, in collaboration with Port of Leith Housing Association, and Heron Bank will provide 24 units, the mix of which will be determined throughout the planning process.

Barratt Homes has established itself as one of the biggest contributors to Edinburgh’s Affordable Housing Policy, with over 1,000 units constructed to date.

Alison Condie, managing director for Barratt Homes East Scotland, said: “We have a long and proud association providing housing in the east of Scotland and Barratt is a popular and trusted source of five-star quality homes for buyers.

“We’re looking forward to expanding our offering in the region with these new developments on South Fort Street and Baltic Street, and helping to regenerate these locations.”

Work on both developments is now underway and it is expected that opportunities to move into one, two and three-bedroom apartments in Leith will be available in early 2022.

Further details and updates on Merchant Quay and Heron Bank are available on the Barratt Homes website.