A GROUP of Midlothian councillors were guided around two of the region’s latest green-energy housing projects currently under construction.
In Gorebridge, councillors Ellen Scott, Douglas Bowen and Kelly Drummond joined Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Stuart McKenzie on the Newbyres development.
Here, construction partner Cruden is building 75 new homes – a mix of flats, cottage flats and houses. The £17.5m project also includes 12 extra-care properties, one bariatric property and one fully wheelchair-accessible four-bedroom home designed for six people.
All of these homes will feature air source heat pumps, cutting carbon emissions and reducing running costs, as well as enhanced insulation and other green technologies that support the council’s net zero ambitions.
The Newbyres development comes after 64 council homes in the area were demolished in 2016, following carbon dioxide emissions.
After years of investigations, design work and the installation of advanced gas defence systems, construction is now progressing well, with completion expected in the coming months.
Cllr McKenzie said: “Ten years on from what was an incredibly distressing time for tenants and for the council, it is inspiring to see this site transformed into a forward?looking development of safe, warm and energy?efficient homes.
“We are now close to the finishing line on a project that will not only provide high?quality housing with lower energy bills but also support our wider commitment to becoming a net zero council.
“I’m proud of the hard work and determination that have brought us to this point.”
The Polton Street development in Bonnyrigg was also toured by Cllr McKenzie and ward councillors Derek Milligan, David Virgo and Dianne Alexander.
Here, the site includes 46 extra-care flats, being built by Ogilvie Construction to Passivhaus green energy standards, providing warm, low-carbon homes for older residents and people living with degenerative conditions.
The wider development includes a new 40-bed intermediate care complex – which will replace Highbank Care Home in Dalkeith – alongside a day-care unit and a community wellbeing space built by Ogilvie for Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership.
Construction is expected to be completed in summer.
