Kevin Stewart, minister for local government, housing and planning, has officially opened a new affordable housing development in Bonnyrigg recently completed for Melville Housing Association.

Located at CALA Homes’ Eagles Green development at Broomieknowe, the 14 new homes were part-funded by a £1 million grant from the Scottish Government, and made possible thanks to Midlothian Council’s Affordable Housing Policy.

The new Melville homes, the first new-build project completed for Melville in Bonnyrigg where there is a particularly high demand for affordable housing, are made up of six terraced properties and eight cottage flats, with communal gardens, open space and car parking. Across Midlothian there are currently over 4,000 individuals and families waiting for an affordable home.

Kevin Stewart MSP said: “I’m delighted to open this new development from Melville Housing Association, providing much needed homes for social rent in Bonnyrigg. I’m pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to co-fund this project with £1m of funding. This is the first affordable housing project completed by CALA Homes for Melville and shows the value of partnership working between the Scottish Government and Melville.”

The 14 homes at Broomieknowe are made up of six three-bedroom terraced houses and eight one-bedroom flats with two specially adapted properties for tenants with additional needs. All of the homes are equipped with electricity-generating solar PV panels as part of Melville’s commitment to delivering more sustainable communities.

David Bond, vice-chair of Melville Housing Association, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Minister to our newest development of affordable homes, made possible thanks to the hard work of staff, the vision of our Board and support from our partners at the Scottish Government and Midlothian Council.

“This excellent development, made up of smaller and mid-size properties, both of which are in huge demand, shows what can be achieved through partnership working and is just the first in a pipeline that will see us making significant additions to our housing stock over the next couple of years.”