Cala delivers new social rent homes in south Edinburgh
The first affordable homes to be built in the Blackford area of Edinburgh for more than 60 years have been completed and handed over.
Cala Homes’ (East) 12 energy-efficient apartments have now been passed to Wheatley, one of Scotland’s leading housing providers, for social rent.
The homes form part of the wider redevelopment by Cala of the former St Crispin’s School site in Blackford and will provide high-quality accommodation for individuals and families seeking affordable housing in the capital.
Among the first Wheatley tenants to move into the new development was Michael Brown. The 35-year-old father of three said moving into his new home from a two-bedroom flat in North Edinburgh has marked a major personal milestone.
Michael said: “This is the first home I’ve ever had that’s truly my own, so getting the keys was an incredible moment. When I walked through the door and saw everything brand new, I couldn’t quite believe it. The space, the layout and the quality of the home are fantastic. I’m absolutely over the moon with it.”
After being on the waiting list for a home for over a year, one of the most important things about the move, he says, is being able to provide a comfortable home for his children.
“Moving here feels like a real fresh start. The area is quiet; the neighbours have been friendly and the views across the city are amazing.
“For someone like me, getting the chance to live somewhere like this is a brilliant opportunity. Having a proper home where my kids can stay and feel settled means everything to me.
“I’ve been able to give them their own bedrooms and somewhere they can relax when they visit, and that’s something I’m really proud of.”
Stephen Faller, Senior Land Manager at Cala Homes (East), said the handover represents a major step in delivering much-needed homes across Edinburgh.
“Developments like this show how new homes can make a real difference to communities,” said Stephen.
“Through our partnership with Wheatley we have delivered modern, energy-efficient homes that will provide secure and comfortable living for residents in an area where opportunities like this have been extremely limited for decades.
“These homes are particularly significant because they represent the first new social rented properties built in Blackford for more than 60 years. It demonstrates the important role that new build housing plays in delivering homes for people who need them most.”
The homes are managed by Wheatley Homes, part of Wheatley, one of Scotland’s largest housing and property-management organisations.
The completion and handover of the Blackford homes highlights how collaboration between developers, housing associations and government partners can help bring forward high-quality homes for communities.
James Ward, Wheatley Homes East Managing Director, said: “We’re delighted to take handover of these much‑needed new homes in Blackford.
“Good‑quality, affordable housing makes a real difference to people’s lives, providing stability, security and a place to call home.
“These modern, energy‑efficient apartments will help meet local housing need in an area where opportunities like this have been extremely limited for six decades.”
The development is a continuation of Cala’s commitment to the redevelopment of brownfield land in and around Edinburgh, following on from a raft of award-winning developments in Leith, Trinity, Liberton, Queensferry, Ratho and Newington.
Cllr Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We have a housing emergency in Edinburgh. We’ve got a huge demand for housing of all types, and we have very ambitious build programmes of affordable housing throughout the city.
“This development is a shining example of how integrated, mixed housing projects can positively impact a community.”
In keeping with City of Edinburgh Council’s CityPlan 2030 vision for housing, the development will contain a number of active travel measures, including extensive cycle storage for private and affordable homes, as well as EV charging provision.
As a result of Cala’s purchase of the site, last February saw pupils and staff at the former St Crispin’s School, which caters for pupils aged four to 18 with additional support needs, relocated to a new £12 million school on the site of the former Burdiehouse Primary School.
