TENANTS have moved into 75 council homes in Gorebridge, Midlothian, a decade after previous properties on the site were demolished.
The £17.5m Newbyres development, delivered by Cruden for Midlothian Council, replaces homes knocked down in 2016 following the discovery of carbon dioxide from former mining works.
The new properties include a mix of flats, houses and extra care homes, with the project receiving £4.275m in grant funding from the Scottish Government.
The development incorporates 10 extra care homes supported by neighbouring services, two bariatric homes and a four-bedroom wheelchair-accessible house. The properties are heated using air source heat pumps.
During construction, £1.5m was spent with local businesses, providing 93 months of work for subcontractors and nine work experience placements.
Councillor Stuart McKenzie, Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Many local people will remember the loss of homes at Newbyres a decade ago.
“The completion of this development is the result of years of planning, investigation and hard work to make the site safe and suitable for housing once again.”
Paul Doran, Development Director at Cruden, said: “Working closely with the council and our project partners, we’ve been able to create homes that meet a wide range of needs while also delivering lasting benefits for the local community through jobs, work experience opportunities and investment with local businesses.”
