Tenants move into new affordable homes in East Calder
Taylor Wimpey East Scotland and Home Group Scotland’s development of 69 affordable homes within the Calderwood development, off Sandilands Road and Sandilands Lane in East Calder is nearing completion and tenants are now moving in and bringing this area of Calderwood to life.
The development of two and three-bedroom homes for social rent have been built by Taylor Wimpey East Scotland for Home Group Scotland and will be exclusively available for their tenants.
The overall masterplan at Calderwood incorporates a design that aims to create a sense of place and maximises the latest Scottish Government Planning Policy for ‘Designing Places’ where it aims to integrate with the local area. The development also makes significant contributions towards providing additional local education capacity including the delivery of the new Calderwood Primary School, as well as local transport improvements that are part of Section 75 legal agreement between lead developer Stirling Developments and West Lothian Council.
Pauline Mills, land and planning director at Taylor Wimpey East Scotland, said: “We are so pleased with the success of our partnership with Home Group Scotland to deliver 69 affordable homes, and it’s very satisfying to see these homes now being occupied.
“As this development comes to life and more people move in, it marks another milestone on the journey towards creating a diverse place to call home that complements the existing local community of Calderwood.
“As one of the largest housebuilders in the UK, we are committed to building more than homes and making sure that we add social, economic and environmental value to the wider communities that we operate in. The delivery of 69 affordable homes at Calderwood is part of that commitment being delivered locally in the West Lothian area and seeing the people moving in and making themselves at home brings this promise to life.”
One of the first Home Group tenants to move in is Rudo Madanhi. Getting the keys to her new house was a very special day, as Rudo explained: “Being given the keys for my new three bedroom home was a dream come true, being able to have this beautiful property.
“As I could not afford to get a mortgage, having affordable homes given to single parents like myself is a great help. To top it off, our location is the icing on the cake. My property overlooks beautiful farming fields and to the side a little glimpse of the Queensferry Crossing.
“Thank you to all that put in their hard work to give us these wonderful properties. From my family and I, thank you.”
Audrey Simpson, director of Home Group Scotland, added: “We’re really proud to be working with our partners to bring 69 new affordable homes to Calderwood. This is an opportunity for people to find a place to call home and help us support a strong local community.
“One of Home Group’s core commitments is to deliver the right homes in the right places and in East Calder we believe we are achieving that.”
Ray Kirk of Stirling Developments added: “Taylor Wimpey and Home Group are strong partners to deliver much needed high quality, affordable housing at Calderwood. Adopting the same design philosophy across the whole masterplan has led to high quality materials being used on both domestic and civic buildings, which creates a sense of place and community.
“Given our longstanding involvement in the masterplanning and delivery of Calderwood village, we are delighted that our vision of a thriving community is being brought to life.”