Building Briefs – March 18th

• Work begins on nine new council homes in Leslie

The development at Anderson Drive, is part of Fife Council’s Phase Three Affordable Housing Programme which is to deliver 3500 new affordable houses across all areas of Fife by May 2022.

This relatively small build is on the site of the old Leslie nursery. There are two, two-bedroom bungalows suitable for wheelchair users and seven houses that are a range of two, three and four bedrooms. The houses are being built for the Council by Robertson Partnership Homes. 

Phase three of the Affordable Housing programme represents an investment of £114 million. By increasing the availability of good quality affordable housing, existing tenants who are in overcrowded or under-occupied homes can be allocated a house more appropriate for their needs. 

• Eildon ‘delighted’ with Scottish Home Awards finalist confirmation

Eildon Housing Association is celebrating after it was shortlisted in two categories in the Scottish Home Awards 2020.

The Association’s Station Court development in Peebles has been nominated for the Affordable Housing Development of the Year (Small, Social Rent) while Eildon is also in the running for the prestigious Housing Association of the Year award.

A spokesperson said: “Eildon staff are delighted and can’t wait to hear the outcome in June when the winners are announced.”

• Planting starts at Urban Union’s Pennywell Nature Garden

The first trees have been planted at the new Pennywell Nature Garden – with local school kids getting involved in the project.

Pupils from Pirniehall Primary School were joined by members of the Pennywell community as planting got underway in time for spring.

Set within Urban Union’s and the City of Edinburgh Council’s Pennywell Living development, the shared nature garden will help foster a sense of community and provide local residents with an attractive outdoor space.

The garden will also allow the community to get involved in several projects which will benefit both the environment and their neighbourhood as a whole.

By creating the nature garden, developer Urban Union and North Edinburgh Arts are hoping to create a space for both adults and children at Pennywell Living to enjoy, as well as attract wildlife and boost biodiversity by planting trees, hedges, snowdrops and seed-bombing wildflowers.

Set to complete in 2023, Pennywell Living is part of a wider housing regeneration project being delivered through a partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and Urban Union which will see the delivery of over 770 new homes, half of which will be affordable housing.