Tag: Shawfair development

Dundas rescues housing development in Shawfair

DEVELOPER STEPS IN TO COMPLETE SITE ‘IN LIMBO’

A residential development in Shawfair, south of Edinburgh has been rescued from collapsed developer, Stewart Milne to be successfully delivered by independent property developer, Dundas Estates.

Dundas has recently completed the purchase of a site on the well-established Shawfair development six miles south of the city, which boasts excellent road and rail links into the heart of the capital, as well accessibility to the airport and nearby motorway network.

Construction will shortly commence to build 59 homes, the properties will consist of a mix of 3 to 6 bed homes. By stepping into the project, Dundas has committed to delivering high-spec homes that exceed industry standards – with the aim of delivering the first homes by late autumn 2024.

As a new neighbourhood on the edge of the city, Shawfair offers a mix of local retail and community health facilities, as well as 3km of cycle paths that easily connect homeowners to the train station, schools and Park & Ride.

Craig Fairfoull, Sales & Marketing Director at Dundas, said: “We appreciate there may have been unexpected challenges and uncertainties faced by prospective homeowners engaged with the previous developer.

“However, our primary goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible, and we urge those who had reservations with Stewart Milne for one of these plots to contact us immediately.

“We aim to deliver these much-needed homes in the coming months, allowing prospective buyers to finally move into the homes they have been looking forward to.”

The development will see Dundas complete various house types that remain similar in style and specification to the previous developer, including terraced, semi and larger detached homes.

Dundas was supported through the acquisition of the site by solicitors Anderson Strathern.

Dundas Estates are an award-winning and independent Scottish homebuilder, prides itself on crafting homes that enhance the well-being of its valued customers. It emphasises creating inclusive communities and strives to simplify, enrich, and add enjoyment to the home-buying experience.

Dundas is asking potential buyers who may have reserved a plot with the previous developer to contact them at sales@dundas.co.uk to speak to a member of the sales team to discuss options further.

Work begins on the new David Lloyd Edinburgh Shawfair development

David Lloyd Leisure, Europe’s leading health, fitness, and leisure group, has announced that work has begun on the much-anticipated David Lloyd Edinburgh Shawfair development, with the club opening in summer 2023.

Located in the new residential development area of Shawfair, Midlothian, which lies to the southeast of Edinburgh, the club will offer world-class health, fitness, racquets and spa facilities. David Lloyd Edinburgh Shawfair is anticipated to become a popular leisure destination for families as well as health and wellness enthusiasts in surrounding areas.

David Lloyd Leisure expects that the new club will generate up to 75 jobs, and the group said that it will explore opportunities to develop local community partnerships over the coming months. The development was granted planning approval in April 2021 following extensive consultation with the local community in 2020.

At the time of its planning approval, Midlothian Council officers said that “the proposal aligns with the masterplan principles for Shawfair to encourage sustainable, healthy lifestyles within a vibrant community”.

Construction began in October 2022, and the development phase is expected to generate more than £4 million for local subcontractors and companies and involve 50-60 construction jobs.

The centrepiece of the club will be the 100+ station gym, which will house David Lloyd Clubs’ cutting-edge gym concept with an unrivalled array of best-in-class equipment.  There will be three group exercise studios; a hi-tech indoor cycling studio, high impact studio and a Mind & Body studio.

There is also a Clubroom café bar with a family zone, an indoor soft play area for the younger ones, and a business hub. An outdoor patio area will offer a space for outdoor dining and drinking on warmer days and evenings.

Michelle Chambers-Cran, Regional Manager at David Lloyd Leisure, said: “We are excited to be starting work on David Lloyd Edinburgh Shawfair and to be one step closer to bringing this new family-friendly leisure destination to life next summer.

“We know that people of all generations will relish what the club has to offer, from the state-of-the-art gym, racquet and spa facilities to the clubroom and children’s activities.

“Our philosophy is to create incredible health and wellness spaces where family and friends can spend quality time together.

“We look forward to engaging with the local community as the development takes shape over the coming months and would encourage those who want to follow our progress to register on the website for updates.”

The club will have a 250-space carpark and is well-connected to Edinburgh and surrounding towns in Midlothian and East Lothian by nearby bus, rail and cycle links.

Those who are interested in following developments at David Lloyd Edinburgh Shawfair can register for updates at: https://www.davidlloyd.co.uk/clubs/edinburgh-shawfair/.

Stewart Milne Homes Helps Community to Flourish

Residents in Danderhall have welcomed a donation from leading housebuilder, Stewart Milne Homes, which has been used to enhance the area with the creation of allotment space, flowering gardens and wildlife habitats.

The £1,000 funding for Danderhall Primary School has been used to support community-wide initiatives, implemented in partnership with local gardening club, Danderhall & District Guerrilla Gardeners.

The group, which has already made a range of outdoor community improvements over the last year, is currently working with the school to take groups of pupils outdoors each week in a bid to encourage them to get green fingered and engage them in protecting nature and the environment.

This month primary five pupils are planting a variety of fruit trees and making bespoke planters from recyclable pallet wood in a nearby allotment space that was previously unused land before the gardening team began the transformation.

The work undertaken by the group and pupils is helping to revive the space whilst encouraging children to enjoy the outdoors and adopt healthy lifestyle choices. 

The Stewart Milne Homes funding has been used to purchase starter gardening packs for pupils including gardening gloves, trowels and forks, pots, hyacinth bulbs and compost, craft materials and litter grabbers

It has also gone towards the purchase of wildlife habitats including hedgehog homes and bird boxes which have been installed across the village.

As well as the funding, Stewart Milne Homes also provided hi-vis jackets for the school children to wear when they are out and about in the village, helping to keep them safe.

As Stewart Milne Homes progresses the development of its new Shawfair community, a collection of three, four, five and six bedroom homes nestled on the edge of The Wisp and the village of Danderhall that will create 115 homes for the growing neighbourhood, the housebuilder plans to continue to support the school and work with local community groups on a range of different initiatives.

Kevin Moreland, Marketing Manager at Stewart Milne Homes, said: “The level of work undertaken across Danderhall by the Guerrilla Gardeners and youngsters is fantastic, and it is clearly creating a positive impact for the multigenerational local community. 

“Stewart Milne Homes is committed to supporting the communities where we build in and we are very proud to support the school with funding to enable a range of outdoor initiatives, which are integral to creating thriving neighbourhoods.

“It was great to get out and meet some of the keen gardeners to see first-hand the change they’re making which will complement our nearby Shawfair development which has been built with a people-first approach, with active travel links connecting the site to the wider village.”

David Halliday, Principal Teacher at Danderhall Primary School, said: “Encouraging and capitalising on the opportunity to experience learning and new challenges in the outdoor environment is integral to our curriculum, and the funding from Stewart Milne Homes is a brilliant boost to the opportunities that we can offer our pupils.

“The hi-vis vests will be used year-round as we encourage our pupils to get out of the classroom and allow themselves to experience new hobbies, such as gardening, as much as possible.

“We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with the Danderhall & District Guerrilla Gardeners as it is now a weekly highlight for the pupils who have developed a love for gardening and creating new areas in the village that they can be proud of. It really is a great example of a community coming together to create a force for good.”

Helen Graham, member of Danderhall & District Guerrilla Gardeners, said: “It has been a pleasure to meet local youngsters and encourage them to get outdoors to learn more about the garden, plants and wildlife.

“The Guerrillas have been busy working across Danderhall and surrounding villages to enhance the area with bright plants and foliage, and in turn it has brought together a number of likeminded individuals and created friendships and social opportunities, which is an added bonus.

“We have big plans to continue the revival of the village and we invite anyone in the local area with a passion for gardening or the outdoors to get involved as we work together to create a vibrant and inclusive neighbourhood.”

For more information about the Stewart Milne Homes’ Shawfair development, visit: https://www.stewartmilnehomes.com/new-homes/neighbourhoods/shawfair