Construction begins on first affordable homes in Blackford, Edinburgh for more than 60 years

Construction has begun on the first affordable housing project in the Blackford area of Edinburgh for more than 60 years.

Cala Homes said it will build 12 new energy-efficient flats in the region in the south of the city that will be passed over to the Wheatley Group.

The housebuilder said the flats will form a key part of its new development at the former site of St Crispin’s School.

It will include two three-bedrooms, four two-bedrooms and six one-bedroom apartments that are expected to be delivered by autumn 2025.

The housebuilding project comes after the City of Edinburgh Council became the first local authority in Scotland to declare a housing emergency.

Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray visited the building site Wheatley Group

Stephen Faller, land manager with Cala Homes (East), said: “This is the sixth time that we have partnered with Wheatley Group, bringing a total of 149 affordable homes through planning and into reality, with more in the pipeline.

“This demonstrates the benefits of new built housing, with this site alone contributing over £300,000 to education and transport infrastructure via Section 75 contributions as well as our own community pledge which we will be rolling out locally.

“We look forward to investing in more sustainable developments in the city to support the delivery of much-needed homes across all tenures.

“We are pleased to be delivering a range of one, two and three-bed social rent apartments which will provide a brand new and energy efficient home for a wide range of residents, including families.

“With the recent housing emergency declared by City of Edinburgh Council, we look forward to getting to the stage where we can hand over the keys to the families and individuals who can start a fresh chapter in their new home.”

Ian Murray, Labour MP for Edinburgh South, said: “City of Edinburgh Council were right to declare a housing emergency in November.

“5,000 households in Edinburgh face homelessness each night with our housing market being put under immense pressure from the cost of living crisis and the fallout of the pandemic.

“It’s very welcome that this site will contain affordable units to help with this housing emergency and I hope the success of the St Crispin’s site will encourage developers to work with the Council and Social Landlord partners to deliver the affordable housing urgently needed to help young people and families across our city.”

Wheatley group director of development and regeneration Lindsay Lauder said: “We’re delighted to start work on this exciting new development on the old school site.

“This is the first time in 60 years new homes for social rent will be built in the Blackford area of Edinburgh, and these will make a significant difference to the local community.”