Colorado Construction spearheads £1.7m green housing project in Kirknewton
Kirknewton Community Development Trust has entered into a £1.696 million contract with Colorado Construction to build seven affordable, energy-efficient homes in Kirknewton.
Focused on community and sustainability, the homes are intended for occupation by those from within the Kirknewton community.
Colorado Construction said it has embraced the opportunity not just for its workload but also for its potential to create lasting change in the community.
The project is funded by the Rural and Islands Housing Fund from the Scottish Government, the Scottish Land Fund, the Ecology Building Society, and Kirknewton Community Development Trust Ltd.
In collaboration with Robertson Architecture & Design, Colorado Construction will transform a picturesque location in Kirknewton. Situated between the historic main road to Camps and the iconic Jencks Stones landscape art form, the site represents a blend of natural beauty and community heritage.
Possession of the site by Colorado will take place on or around the 3rd July and the projected programme is 43 weeks. Horizon Housing Association is being appointed managers.
These homes are designed to near Passivhaus standard with the help of the Horizon, a member of the Link Group. The homes support accessible and inclusive living, and of course sustainability. They have been developed by and for the community, reflecting the ethos of the origins of the community housing sector.
Horizon’s accessible housing ambassador, Scottish Paralympian Aileen Nelson, said: “Having been lucky enough to travel all over the world, we faced many challenges finding suitable accessible accommodation so it’s really important for accessible housing to be developed which is of the right size and right type to meet a range of needs.”
Ecology Building Society is delighted to be contributing development finance and long-term mortgage support to Kirknewton Community Development Trust’s Camps Project. The Trust’s commitment to delivering highly energy efficient, comfortable homes that will be affordable in perpetuity to local people is absolutely aligned to the values of the Society and our members.
Bryan Laird, principal civil engineer at Harley Haddow, said: “We’re pleased to be involved in such a worthwhile local project, providing our civil, structural and mechanical & electrical utility infrastructure design services for the development approvals of these residential properties. It is great to be working with the community development trust to provide much needed affordable properties to local people and we’re looking forward to seeing this project develop further.”
Colorado Construction managing director, Ian Bownes, added: “With Colorado being based in Livingston, West Lothian, we very much look forward to successfully delivering this worthy project for our near neighbours in Kirknewton.”