TENANTS have moved into a new Midlothian Council housing development at Newbyres in Gorebridge.
Cruden delivered the £17.5 million project on behalf of the local authority, with the 75 properties comprising a mix of flats, cottage flats, and houses – 10 of which are care homes.
Sustainability has been a key focus. The homes are heated using air source heat pumps and feature high-performance insulation to help reduce energy use and keep heating costs down. Landscaped green spaces have also been created to provide attractive outdoor areas for residents.
The project has brought benefits to the wider Midlothian community during construction. Cruden spent more than £1.5 million with local businesses, provided the equivalent of 93 months of work for local subcontractors, and created nine work experience placements for young people. The company also donated £2,000 to support local community projects and events.
Paul Doran, development director at Cruden, said, We’re proud to have delivered these 75 high-quality, energy-efficient homes for Midlothian Council and to see residents now making them their own. Reaching this milestone at Newbyres is a real achievement for everyone involved and reflects the hard work, collaboration and solutions focused approach that has gone into bringing new homes back to the site.
“Working closely with the council and our project partners, we’ve been able to create homes that meet a wide range of needs while also delivering lasting benefits for the local community through jobs, work experience opportunities and investment with local businesses. We hope these new homes will provide a safe, comfortable and sustainable place to live for many generations.”
The handover marks an important milestone for the area. In 2016, council homes on the site had to be demolished following the discovery of carbon dioxide linked to former mining works below the area.
Councillor Stuart McKenzie, Midlothian Council’s cabinet member for housing, commented, “We’re delighted that these new homes are already being enjoyed by our tenants. This is a joyful conclusion to what has been a difficult history at the site. Many local people will remember the loss of homes at Newbyres a decade ago. The completion of this development is the result of years of planning, investigation and hard work to make the site safe and suitable for housing once again.
“These modern, affordable homes are already providing local residents with warm, comfortable and energy-efficient places to live for many years to come.”
