By Tim Metcalfe, regional MD at Keepmoat Scotland
I’M the regional managing director at Keepmoat, Scotland with 25 years’ experience in the housing sector. Previously, I held senior financial and operational roles with other housebuilders such as Avant Homes. I joined the Keepmoat team in 2022, originally starting out as a finance director before being tasked with leading the company’s expansion plans within Scotland. Fast forward two years and our ambitious plans are well under way with additional plans in the pipeline!
What opportunities does brownfield land pose for housebuilders?
Brownfield land plays a pivotal role for housebuilders across Scotland, offering a unique opportunity to revitalise previously developed sites. These areas often lie in prime locations, presenting potential for new housing developments in sought-after areas. Utilising brownfield land is key to addressing Scotland’s housing shortage, helping create vibrant neighbourhoods while generating jobs, making the most of existing transport links and amenities.
One of the major advantages of repurposing brownfield land is the opportunity to remediate and clean up contaminated sites. This process not only improves the environmental quality of the area but also boosts local biodiversity, creating safer and healthier living spaces.
Additionally, brownfield regeneration contributes to the economy by providing employment, increasing housing stock, and offering affordable housing options.
At Keepmoat Scotland, we work closely with landowners, local authorities, and communities to regenerate brownfield sites into thriving new communities. Our collaborative partnership model fosters effective engagement and supports large-scale, multi-phase developments.
Currently, nearly 70% of Keepmoat’s projects are located on brownfield sites, and more than 60% of our customers are first-time buyers. As Scotland faces a significant housing crisis, characterised by a shortage of affordable homes and increasing homelessness, we are committed to providing high-quality, affordable housing that meets the needs of residents.
We have almost finished the second phase at our development in Ravenscraig, The Castings, which is a prime example of this commitment. With an £11.3 million investment, the team has transformed land that was previously part of a former steelworks site into a vibrant, sustainable community.
What are the challenges of transforming brownfield land?
While brownfield land presents significant opportunities for new housing, it does come with its challenges. One of the main barriers is the high initial cost. The process of clearing and remediating the land can often exceed the land’s value, making it financially out of reach for some developers.
What are your plans for the future?
At Keepmoat Scotland, our goal is to continue addressing Scotland’s housing shortage by delivering affordable homes across the country with our key partners including local authorities and housing associations. We pride ourselves on building high quality homes where people want to live ensuring our developments have a range of amenities and green spaces for modern living.
Keepmoat currently has multiple live sites throughout Scotland, including Northbridge in Glasgow, Ravenscraig in North Lanarkshire, a development in Glenrothes which will bring more than 400 new homes, and Archerview in Kilwinning, our first development in North Ayrshire.
We have big plans for the future with developments such as Stonelea in Stoneyburn, West Lothian and Millwood in Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire.
Our partnership model enables us to create homes for the market, but also deliver for those who need it most – by supporting local housing associations our multi-tenure approach ensures we collaborate with other Scottish businesses with aligned goals.
