Scottish Housing Minister, Margaret Burgess MSP, today joined Edinburgh’s Housing Convener, Councillor Cammy Day
, for a tour of the new 719 house Pennywell construction site.
Pennywell is one of Scotland’s largest housing-led regeneration projects and is set to provide 356 social and mid-market rent homes, along with 363 new properties for private sale.
The extensive development, which is being built by developers Urban Union, is a result of a major investment of £42 million by the City of Edinburgh Council and includes £7.9 million grant funding from the Scottish Government.
Housing Convener, Councillor Cammy Day, said: “Pennywell is a fantastic development and will greatly enhance the area. We are committed to investing in high quality, energy efficient, affordable housing and this is the perfect example of how this can be achieved.
“The project has already created jobs for local people and I am confident that Pennywell will be an asset, not only to its residents, but as part of the overall regeneration of the north of Edinburgh.”
The construction of the new homes will bring 60 new jobs and apprenticeships to the area, along with 180 work experience placements. Cllr Day and the Minister met with local resident Courtney Rankine during the visit, who gained employment as an administrator on the project.
Local people have also been heavily involved in shaping plans for the public spaces within the development and the overall master plan for the area.
Housing Minister, Margaret Burgess, said: “Making sure everyone in Scotland has access to good quality housing is a vital part of the Scottish Government’s drive to secure economic growth, strengthen communities and tackle inequalities.
“Of the 719 houses being built, I am delighted to see that 356 will be affordable homes and that the area will benefit from £7.9 million of Scottish Government funding on top of the significant investment from the City of Edinburgh Council.”
After a tour of the construction site they then visited Lindsey Wilson, a tenant of a new Council property in nearby West Pilton Crescent. Like the homes under construction in Pennywell, her flat is a modern, energy efficient home and provided the Minister with an insight into how the completed properties on the development will look.
Both West Pilton Crescent and Pennywell are part of the Council’s ambitious 21st Century Homes project, which aims to create high quality social housing by developing brownfield sites across the Capital.
Ms Wilson said: “My new home is amazing! I was given notice to leave my private let and I was staying in temporary accommodation before I got this place. This is luxury compared to my private let – it is so much bigger, cleaner and warmer.
“I was spending £40 per week on my pre-payment meter in my last house but now I’m only spending £11, which is fantastic.
“My housing officer has been great and is always there if I have any issues.
“I have just got a job down in Morrison’s and things are really working out well for me.”
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