Housing Minister leads go to to mark enhance to area’s provide

A MAJOR growth offering 57 houses for social hire in Penicuik has been accomplished, following a partnership between housebuilder Cala Properties (East) and Wheatley Group.

The gathering of reasonably priced houses contains 16 cottage flats, 13 terraced houses and 28 flats – and varieties a key factor of the Mauricewood masterplan that’s bringing greater than 500 high quality houses to the northern fringe of the Midlothian city.

To mark the completion of the houses, Cala and Wheatley Group hosted Minister for Housing Paul McLennan and native Provost Debbi McCall for a tour across the wider growth.

Housing Minister Paul McLennan mentioned: “The best to a heat, protected and reasonably priced house is crucial to wellbeing and is a proper everybody deserves. Wheatley Group, working with key companions comparable to Cala Properties, performs a major position in growing the vary of housing obtainable to hire all through Scotland.

“The Scottish Authorities has supported this new construct growth with over £3.9 million. This has enabled Wheatley Group working with Cala to ship 57 prime quality energy-efficient reasonably priced houses right here in Penicuik.

“Top quality housing is a key pillar of Housing to 2040, while additionally eradicating gasoline poverty and homelessness and making certain everybody has entry to inexperienced area and important companies. I welcome the chance to see for myself these a lot wanted, newly accomplished reasonably priced houses in Midlothian.”

The houses have been constructed to excessive specs by the developer earlier than being handed over to Wheatley Group. The houses will probably be managed by Wheatley Properties East, a part of Wheatley Group.

Because of this, every property is vitality environment friendly, attaining a minimal EPC score of B in addition to provision of electrical automobile charging provision.

Wheatley Properties East tenant Emma Hopton, who moved into her new two-bedroom residence in Might, mentioned: “It’s lovely, and it’s in such a stunning space. It’s roomy and so good and shiny, which supplies it an actual really feel of residence.

“The property has photo voltaic panels and it’ll be good to see what distinction these make with the colder climate coming. I really like the home and my favorite factor needs to be the view. It’s nice with the ability to drive down the highway and see the Pentlands.”

Craig Lynes, Managing Director for Cala Properties (East), mentioned: “We’re delighted to see this growth come to life which sits inside a well-connected and peaceable atmosphere, and to see the brand new residents name these properties their houses. Cala and Wheatley have labored laborious on this venture for the previous two and a half years – from planning proper by way of to the ultimate handover.

“Our collective focus was delivering prime quality, tenure-blind social rented lodging and we’re delighted this has been achieved.

“It’s our fifth joint venture to be accomplished with Wheatley Group and we’re dedicated to delivering extra reasonably priced houses within the native space and past.

“Wheatley Group has been an ideal associate and credit score should go to all these concerned within the venture for his or her dedication to ship what’s a major scale for this space. From the outset to the ultimate completion, the entire expertise has been a optimistic one.”

The supply of the houses gives a well timed enhance to produce as demand for houses continues to surge within the area and can mark a major contribution to Midlothian Council’s dedication to constructing 1,000 new reasonably priced homes within the area.

Provost Debbi McCall, mentioned: “Cala and Wheatley Group have executed a terrific job in capturing the essence and spirit of neighborhood, and we hope these houses will become tight-knit social hubs that mirror the individuals who dwell right here.”

Following the go to, Midlothian South MSP Christine Grahame commented on the completion of the houses for social hire: “Good high quality housing is vital to fixing many social issues. For those who provide somebody a protected, safe, snug residence, you present them with a basis to reach different areas of life.

“Given the excessive demand for housing in Midlothian, the completion of this growth of high quality houses for social hire could be very welcome.”

It’s the second venture that Cala has accomplished in 2023 with Wheatley Group within the east of Scotland area, after handing over 14 reasonably priced houses in Linlithgow on the flip of the 12 months.

Steven Henderson, Wheatley Group Chief Govt, mentioned: “Working with our companions at Cala, Scottish Authorities and Midlothian Council, we’re in a position to construct these much-needed reasonably priced houses and breathe new life into the neighborhood.

“We’re delighted to see the optimistic influence these high-quality, vitality environment friendly houses have already had on the native space and we’re positive our tenants will get pleasure from residing there for a few years to come back.”

Current years have seen Cala Properties make investments closely into the broader Midlothian neighborhood. A report by financial consultancy, Lichfields, estimates that Cala’s work will end in a £15.7 million enhance in new infrastructure, comparable to faculties and leisure services throughout the county, in addition to an estimated £15.6m enhance to the native financial system with the creation of greater than 290 jobs.