New homes for Edinburgh
Win your dream wedding at Hopetoun
Meningitis B vaccine
New Kirkliston playground
Bethany get a boost for their winter programme
The Scottish Government has given the go ahead for 80 new affordable homes in Edinburgh, part of almost 1,000 homes earmarked for sites across the city.
Homes delivered through the National Housing Trust initiative (NHT) offer affordable mid-market rents, helping tenants to save a toward purchasing a property.
Developed by the Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust, NHT is supported by a Scottish Government guarantee.
The development, on brownfield land at the former Fruitmarket, will also include Edinburgh West Retail Park and private housing, and contribute to the regeneration of the area.
The City of Edinburgh Council has approved loans of over £110 million for almost 1,000 NHT homes at nine Brownfield sites in the city, with four developments completed and another currently under construction.
Across Scotland, the NHT initiative is on track to deliver over 2,000 new homes, all without the need for grant subsidy.
Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said:
“This strategically important site in Edinburgh leads the way as the first development approved under the latest round of the National Housing Trust initiative (NHT).
“NHT is a pioneering example of creative working amongst the public, private and non-profit sectors.
“When complete, these 80 homes for mid-market rent will be a welcome addition to the supply of affordable housing in Edinburgh. Over 400 NHT homes have already been built with almost 600 more planned in the city.
“Housing is at the heart of the Scottish Government’s ambitions and we are on track to deliver our target of 30,000 new, affordable homes over the lifetime of this parliament.”
Edinburgh’s Housing Leader Cllr Cammy Day said:
“Edinburgh has a shortage of affordable housing and the National Housing Trust can enable new mid-market rent homes to be built, which will meet the needs of working households who can’t afford to buy homes or to pay full market rents. A major part of the Council’s Capital Coalition commitment is to ensure that the city’s residents are well housed and we will continue to invest in affordable homes.
“The new development at Fruitmarket will provide 80 much needed affordable homes. The Council has already provided loans of over £58 million for previous phases of National Housing Trust, enabling 422 affordable homes to be built at Telford Road, Lochend, Granton Waterfront and Salamander Place with another 96 new homes under construction at Western Harbour. This innovative way of providing quality affordable housing supports local jobs and the local economy.”
Christa Reekie, Commercial Director at SFT, said:
“The City of Edinburgh Council has fully embraced the highly successful National Housing Trust initiative which SFT leads on, with contracts signed to build a total of 598 homes across 6 sites; 422 homes are already occupied.
“When tenants move into these affordable-rent homes, not only will their rent be lower, but also their energy bills will be dramatically reduced as the homes will be energy efficient.”
Harry O’Donnell, Chairman, Chesser Developments Ltd said:
“As well as having a positive housing impact on this site which has lain derelict for far too long, we also see a number of economic benefits coming from this project.
“Along with our contractor, Hart Builders, we will maximise employment opportunities for local people during the construction phase.
“In addition, the flats will be let to households on moderate incomes including key workers.”
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One very lucky couple this winter will win a dream wedding at the stunning Hopetoun House in South Queensferry, Scotland, worth an incredible £28,000.
Offered by wedding blog, We Fell in Love, the luxury wedding brings together the finest wedding suppliers and services, with winners chosen from a final five, voted for by the public.
Winners will receive a full, five-star wedding package, including bridal wear from Rachel Scott Bridal Couture; catering from premium caterer Heritage Portfolio; flowers from leading florist Planet Flowers and wedding night accommodation at the world famous Balmoral Hotel.
The couple will also win top-class wedding photography, videography, pre-wedding accommodation, cake, stationery, bridal accessories, a drinks reception and event planning, complete with a spectacular firework display from 21CC Fireworks to round off the unforgettable day.
This magical wedding must take place on Friday 20 November, and can be won by entering online at www.welfellinlove.co.uk
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The Scottish Government has announced that from 1 September, the meningitis B vaccine will be introduced to the routine childhood vaccination programme in Scotland.
Scotland is now one of the few nations in the world to offer the vaccination, which will offer protection against the life-threatening strain of meningitis to all infants.
The vaccination will be given in three doses at two, four and 12 months, with all infants in Scotland who are aged two months when the vaccine is introduced being eligible. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has also advised that when the programme starts there should be a one-off, catch-up programme for infants aged three and four months of age who will be attending for their routine vaccinations.
Additionally, in response to an increase in the number of cases of meningitis W, and based on advice from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation, a MenACWY vaccine will be introduced to replace the MenC vaccine used in the adolescents and freshers vaccination programmes.
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Barratt Homes has donated over £2000 to a help a local playgroup in the heart of Kirkliston.
The housebuilder, which is currently delivering new homes at The Elms, donated the money as part of the Kirkliston Village Consortium to Kirkliston Playgroup to help with sustaining and growing the busy playgroup.
The playgroup offers daily care to ten children, 25 children per week, aged between two and three. The playgroup provides a fun, safe and secure environment where children can play and learn together.
Mansoor Ali, development director, Barratt East Scotland, said: “Supporting local communities and businesses within close proximity to our developments is a key priority of ours. We are delighted to help deliver these funds to Kirkliston Playgroup and we are sure it will be put to good use to benefit the children of Kirkliston.”
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Bethany Christian Trust will use new from Esh Communities as funding to develop its Winter Care Shelter service. The shelters, managed by seven staff and a network of more than 800 volunteers, operate from 32 churches across Edinburgh and help people who are homeless in Edinburgh during the winter months. They provide a safe, warm bed for the night, transport from a central pick-up point, food and support for accessing additional services.
Projects are open to all, regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity and religious affiliation.
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
