The project to completely refurbish a disused block of six two-bed flats in the Niddrie area of Edinburgh will offer a safe environment for tenants, some of whom have been in hospital for over 20 years.

LAR’s chief executive, Ann Leslie, said: “This was a major project to completely overhaul a derelict building and make it safe for our tenants. We worked very closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and the team at the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership to make sure the flats were suitable for those in their care.”

The extensive refurbishment included new wiring, new plumbing, new windows and new utilities as well as new kitchens and bathrooms. Externally it included re-harling, removing chimneys, significant landscaping and some further work on the roof. The flats also have higher impact spec internally with upgraded and thicker plasterboard, extra fire doors and fittings and anti-glare paint that will help residents live safely.

Mark Grierson, disability support & strategy manager at the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “I’d like to pay tribute to Lar for creating an environment that has been designed around individuals and that will offer a greater quality of life to them. This will be the first opportunity for some of the tenants to live safely in their own community and without the incredible attention to detail from the team at Lar it simply wouldn’t work.”

The tenants are expected to move into their new homes during September.