Eildon Housing Association’s new Dunwhinny Gardens development in Peebles was the latest to be recognised at a national awards ceremony winning the ‘Best Development - Medium’ category at the Homes for Scotland Awards last week.

Dunwhinny Gardens is a development of 15 large family homes and one wheelchair bungalow situated to the south of Peebles town centre, with close proximity to the High School. All homes are designed to Housing for Varying Need Standard, are fully adaptable and barrier-free ensuring they can respond to changing requirements.

The development completed in January this year, was delivered in partnership with Architects ASSIST Design Ltd and built by Hart Builders, Edinburgh. The cost of the total investment in the Peebles Strategy Project, which includes the Dunwhinny Gardens project, was funded by a combination of Eildon Housing Association private finance (£5.43m), Scottish Borders Council (£1.55m) and Scottish Government grants (£7.81m).

The award was collected by Ronnie Dumma, Eildon’s development manager.

Eildon’s chief executive, Nile Istephan, who was also present at the awards ceremony, said: “We are extremely pleased with the recognition of this high quality development. Dunwhinny Gardens is the last piece in a complicated jigsaw of developments that have formed the Peebles Housing Strategy.

“This approach, supported by the Scottish Government and Scottish Borders Council, has resulted in almost £15 million investment in new homes in Peebles over the last 6 ½ years and resulted in the creation of 114 new homes transforming the availability of affordable homes in the town and making a significant contribution to the local economy. Eildon is committed to adding further to the stock of high quality affordable housing where we can and are proud that our work in this area is recognised on a national level.”

David Small from Hart Builders added: “Hart Builders are delighted to have worked in partnership with Eildon to transform this brownfield site. Providing highly energy efficient new homes for the residents, the development blends seamlessly into the existing community demonstrating the importance of focusing on quality in both design and construction and ensuring we consistently deliver sustainable new build housing.”

Andy Jack at Assist Design said: “We are delighted to have been Architects to Eildon Housing Association’s award winning development at Dunwhinny Gardens. Not only does the development meet Eildon Housing’s demanding brief for high quality design, providing homes that are both economic and affordable to run, but also represents a successful collaboration of all partners involved by creating a unique development that is a safe and pleasant environment for future residents.”

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www.eildon.org.uk