The development at Brechin West was a collaboration with Angus Council and Scotia Homes to repurpose homes for social housing that were originally destined for the private market.

This shift of focus was in response to the extreme flooding in Brechin in 2023 which resulted in many members of the community facing displacement which highlighted an urgent demand for additional social housing.

The £1.2 million development, which has received £700,000 of Scottish Government funding, consists of six homes, including two 4-bed and four 3-bed, two-storey houses, that have been built with energy efficient features including solar panels and air source heat pumps, both to reduce carbon emissions and to reduce energy costs for tenants.

Julie Cosgrove, chief executive of Caledonia Housing Association, said: “I’d like to welcome our tenants to their new, high-quality, sustainable homes in Brechin. This development was born from an innovative partnership between Caledonia, Angus Council and Scotia Homes to use homes for social housing rather than private occupancy as a direct response to the impact of the flooding. It demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration and I wish all our tenants well in their new homes.”

Graham Reid, joint managing director, at Scotia Homes, added: “We were delighted to work with Caledonia Housing Association and Angus Council on this collaborative project.

“When designing our Brechin development, we set out to create a new sustainable community through thoughtful design and architecture, diverse streetscapes as well as high-quality landscaping and community-focused amenities. Being able to repurpose these units and provide much needed homes to those impacted by the severe flooding events helped build upon these principles of community.

“Caledonia Housing Association have been a pleasure to work with throughout the project. They have gone above and beyond, reviewing every detail to ensure these new homes meet the needs of their tenants, creating spaces that residents can immediately feel at home in. Knowing we were able to assist in this process gives us a great sense of pride.”

Naomi Shelton, who just received the keys to her new home, said: “We are so mesmerised with the house and cannot express how grateful we are. Thank you so much, Caledonia Housing Association.”

Councillor Kenny Braes, Angus Council, commented: “We are delighted to have worked with Caledonia Housing Association and Scotia Homes to help support the delivery of much needed social family housing in Brechin following the devasting flood last year. It is a great example of creative partnership working to deliver against our vision, that everyone in Angus has a good quality, safe, secure, and warm home that they can afford, at what continues to be a very challenging time for Brechin. We hope all the tenants are happy in their new homes.”

In October 2023, Caledonia homes in Middleton Park, Brechin were destroyed because of flooding and all tenants were re-housed. Refurbishment work has been ongoing and is due for completion by the end of 2024 for tenants to return to their homes.