A sod-cutting ceremony has marked the start of construction of 100 new social homes for Sanctuary Scotland in South Queensferry.
The properties are part of Lovell Partnerships’ The Crossings at Bridgewater Village development, which will bring around 400 homes to the area.
The Crossings will be a mixed-tenure site of 398 homes and 14 commercial units, delivered in partnership by Lovell Partnerships, Sanctuary Scotland, Sigma Capital, the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council.
Development of the site has been tipped to deliver around 200 jobs, directly by Lovell and through the supply chain. Many of the roles will be for apprentices, including joiners and bricklayers.
The sod-cutting ceremony took place on Scottish Housing Day, which this year focuses on housing as a career. It was attended by City of Edinburgh Council housing convenor, councillor Jane Meagher.
Those properties not earmarked for Sanctuary Scotland will be rented by Sigma Capital or sold on the open market by Lovell.
The Crossings will include active travel infrastructure and measures such as rain gardens and green/blue infrastructure that work with the water cycle to promote the health of the site and proper water management. The homes will also feature solar panels and energy efficient boilers.
Sarah Freel, head of partnerships at Lovell, said, “We are particularly proud to be working with Sanctuary Scotland to provide social housing at this development, which will go towards achieving the Scottish Government’s target of building 110,000 affordable homes by 2032. With views of the historic Forth bridges and great access to amenities, this development is certain to be one of Edinburgh’s most desirable neighbourhoods.”
Gillian Lavety, Sanctuary’s development director for Scotland, added, “As a leading national housing association, we’re committed to ensuring local people have access to affordable, good-quality homes. The Crossings at Bridgewater Village is an exciting development that will make a real difference, and we’re delighted to be working with our partners to help meet the established need for more affordable homes in the area.”
Councillor Jane Meagher commented, “It was fantastic to be able to mark (Scottish Housing Day) by attending the ceremony to see the start of construction of 100 social rented homes here in South Queensferry. This exciting start represents an important step forward in the area’s development and will help to alleviate some of the critical pressures that face the Edinburgh’s housing sector.”
