Almost £1.7M Sustainable Housing Project Announced in West Lothian

Kirknewton Community Development Trust has entered into a £1.696 million contract with Colorado Construction to build seven affordable, energy-efficient homes in Kirknewton. How will this project help to deliver much-needed affordable housing for the region?

The focus of the homes is on community and sustainability, and they are intended for occupation by those from within the Kirknewton community.

Supporting its local community is key for Colorado Construction

The project is funded by the Rural and Islands Housing Fund from the Scottish Government, the Scottish Land Fund, the Ecology Building Society, and Kirknewton Community Development Trust Ltd.

In collaboration with Robertson Architecture & Design, Colorado Construction will transform a location in Kirknewton, situated between the historic main road to Camps and the iconic Jencks Stones landscape art form.

Possession of the site by Colorado will take place on or around the 3rd July and the projected programme is 43 weeks. Horizon Housing Association is being appointed managers.

Colorado Construction Managing Director, Ian Bownes, explained how the project is a local one to the company: “With Colorado being based in Livingston, West Lothian, we very much look forward to successfully delivering this worthy project for our near neighbours in Kirknewton.”

Ensuring that accessible housing is available for everyone is needed to create thriving communities 

These homes are designed to near Passivhaus standard with the help of the Horizon, a member of the Link Group.

The homes are said to support accessible and inclusive living and have been developed by and for the community.

Horizon’s Accessible Housing Ambassador, Scottish Paralympian Aileen Nelson, highlighted the importance of providing communities with accessible housing.

Aileen said: “Having been lucky enough to travel all over the world, we faced many challenges finding suitable accessible accommodation so it’s really important for accessible housing to be developed which is of the right size and right type to meet a range of needs.”

Bryan Laird, Principal Civil engineer at Harley Haddow, added: “We’re pleased to be involved in such a worthwhile local project, providing our civil, structural and mechanical & electrical utility infrastructure design services for the development approvals of these residential properties.”

It is great to be working with the community development trust to provide much-needed affordable properties to local people and we’re looking forward to seeing this project develop further.

Delivering much-needed affordable and accessible housing to communities is key to a thriving community, and this project reflects how important it is to focus on local communities.