The first completions of 105 “much needed” affordable homes being built as part of a 420-new homes development in North Berwick are well on schedule for November 2016.

Cruden Homes was selected by site owners North Berwick Trust as the delivery partner for all affordable homes on the Mains Farm development which will complement housing for sale on the 103 acre site located on the south side of the town’s Grange Road.

An innovative mixed tenure approach has been agreed between Cruden Homes and East Lothian Council, in conjunction with North Berwick Trust and will provide a choice of different tenures including homes for social rent, mid market rent and discounted housing for sale.

Two areas of the site (AH1 and AH2) were originally identified for the delivery of 105 affordable units in two phases of 50 and 55 units respectively.

The first three-bedroom homes for discounted sale are now available for sale. Priced at £159,600, these first new homes will be completed in November and are being sold to households who meet specific criteria and qualify for East Lothian Council’s discounted for sale scheme. The scheme has been developed to offer households who are unable to afford open market housing in North Berwick to buy their own home at an affordable price.

The first phase also includes a mix of one and two-bedroom cottage flats and two and three- bedroom houses which will be owned and managed by Dunedin Canmore Housing, part of the Wheatley Group.

Gill Henry, head of business development at Cruden Homes, said: “Cruden Homes has worked very closely with the North Berwick Trust to formalise the delivery of the affordable housing with East Lothian Council to ensure it meets the requirements of the local authority’s affordable housing policy and delivers new homes which meet local housing demand.

“Indeed the close partnership that exists between Cruden, the Trust, East Lothian Council and Dunedin Canmore Housing has been instrumental in ensuring the success of this pioneering mixed tenure proposal.”

Malcolm Baker, chairman of North Berwick Trust, said: “We are pleased this provision of affordable housing for North Berwick is coming to fruition and that by the end of the year, families could be looking forward to living in these new homes. The key driver in all of the Trust’s activities has been delivering real benefit for our local community - whether that be the provision of much-needed affordable housing, as well as a range of private housing, alongside providing grants to community groups.”

East Lothian Council housing spokesperson, Councillor Norman Hampshire, added: “I am really delighted to see this project underway. The council is committed to providing affordable housing to rent and buy to meet the needs of our growing population across East Lothian.

“It is very heartening that we have been able to work closely with Cruden Homes, the North Berwick Trust, Dunedin Canmore Housing and the wider community in North Berwick to ensure a development that will work with the local vernacular while delivering much needed homes”.

Dunedin Canmore’s chief executive, Ewan Fraser, said: “I am delighted to see these new homes taking shape in North Berwick. This is a key phase in delivering much needed quality affordable housing for the area. It is a pleasure to be involved in such a positive partnership.

“What is particularly pleasing about these homes is the range on offer to meet the needs of a variety of individuals and families in an area that is notoriously expensive to buy or rent. Dunedin Canmore is very excited to be managing homes in North Berwick for the first time and I look forward to seeing them finished.”

The second phase of 55 affordable homes (AH2) will be developed by Cruden Homes in the years 2020/21 and 2021/22 and will provide a mix of social rent, mid market rent and discounted housing for sale.