Minister for housing and welfare Margaret Burgess MSP visited this week Peebles to officially open new affordable homes delivered through the National Housing Trust initiative.

The project is the first to be commissioned by Bridge Homes, a company established by Scottish Borders Council and Scottish Futures Trust to provide additional affordable housing for mid-market rent across the Scottish Borders.

The company acquired the 13 two-bedroom homes at Standalane Way from market housebuilder Miller Homes and has appointed Edinburgh-based Orchard and Shipman to manage the development.

The official opening marked the acquisition of the completed homes and the first tenants moving in.

Margaret Burgess MSP said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government’s ground-breaking National Housing Trust initiative has delivered affordable, high quality homes for people in the Scottish Borders.

“They have been secured for very little taxpayers’ money and will help address the demand for much needed affordable housing in Peebles, and also support jobs and stimulate the local construction sector.

“We have a good record on housing. In this parliament, backed by more than £1.7 billion, we have exceeded our target of 30,000 affordable homes.

“This development is a fantastic example of creative, innovative working between the public and private sectors.”

Councillor Frances Renton, executive member for social work and housing, said: “It is fantastic that this first Bridge Homes project has been completed on programme and tenants have moved into these 13 new homes.

“I am very impressed with the quality of these homes and I am sure that the tenants will be very happy living in this new community. Such is the demand for affordable housing in Peebles, I understand that there were over 100 enquiries for these homes.

“The council’s investment into the National Housing Trust initiative will provide affordable homes for rent across the Scottish Borders, through pursuing a number of site opportunities. We are on track to deliver almost 150 affordable homes through this scheme by the end of March 2019, which includes another six locally at Waverley Road, Innerleithen.

“This will contribute towards meeting the housing needs of local people and also help stimulate the local economy.”

The 13 Bridge Homes at Standalane Way are aimed at helping people who aspire to buy a home to access a high quality property at a below market rent with the possibility of purchasing it after a minimum of five years.

David Morgan, Land Director of Miller Homes, said: “We are delighted to have been able to collaborate with Scottish Borders Council and Bridge Homes to deliver affordable housing as one element of the green field Peebles Gait development in Peebles.

“We are familiar with the National Housing Trust model so that provided some certainty in delivery and purchase which was attractive to our company, so we were happy to contract with Bridge Homes for these 13 homes.”