MIDLOTHIAN Council and Cruden have marked Scottish Housing Day by celebrating the completion of a Passivhaus development on Bonnyrigg High Street.
20 new council flats have been delivered, including assisted living apartments and homes for residents aged 55 and over. The properties were designed by architecture firm AHR.
The project is part of what has been described as ‘the most ambitious Passivhaus programme in Scotland’, with a total of 182 new homes constructed by Midlothian Council to meet stringent building standards.
The Passivhaus-certified homes feature ‘bright, spacious’ interiors designed to reduce energy consumption, with Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems providing fresh air circulation while retaining the heat already generated in the apartments.
Councillor Stuart McKenzie, cabinet member for housing, said, “It’s fantastic to see what was once a building site transformed into a modern, attractive development that our tenants are now calling home. Hearing first-hand how local people are enjoying warm, comfortable, and energy-efficient homes while helping us make progress towards our net zero target by 2030 is truly inspiring.”
Fraser Lynes, MD at Cruden, added, “It’s incredibly rewarding to see tenants already settling in and benefiting from energy-efficient living. This year’s Scottish Housing Day theme, ‘Homes for Life,’ truly reflects what we’ve accomplished here—creating a sustainable, future-proof community that addresses the environmental challenges of tomorrow. Knowing we’ve built homes that not only protect the environment but also significantly enhance the comfort and quality of life for residents is what makes projects like this so fulfilling.”
