Work has begun on the first phase of a huge housing, retail and community development in Aberdeen.
The Grandhome Trust’s ambitious plans for the Bridge of Don site are moving forward after being granted a £7.9million loan from the Scottish Government.
Grandhome has planning permission in principle for a community of 4,700 homes, including commercial, shopping, leisure, and public space.
The government’s housing infrastructure fund has up to £50million of grant and loan funding available in 2016/17 to help increase supply across Scotland, and the Grandholme scheme is the first to benefit.
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart, who also serves as Aberdeen Central MSP, said the first batch of 600 homes would include 90 affordable units.
Visiting the site yesterday, he said: “I am really pleased the first loan from this important Scottish Government fund is being used to unlock a key housing site.
“We have listened to our partners and are putting in place measures to support the increase in the supply of homes across all tenures, support jobs in the construction industry, and encourage inclusive growth in the wider economy.”
Bruce Smith, a trustee of The Grandhome Trust, said: “The new community of Grandhome has been more than 10 years in the planning and the delivery of the first phase of enabling infrastructure, supported by the Scottish Government’s loan, is an important milestone for us.
“The quality of place that we are creating here is shaped by a strong vision and will contribute to the attractiveness of the city as place to live, work and invest.”
Contractor W M Donald have been carrying out works on the site to put in place the first phase of infrastructure needed to support around 200 homes at Laverock Braes, the community’s first neighbourhood.
As part of the works, two new access junctions are being created onto the existing road network at Whitestripes Avenue, along with an off-site pedestrian crossing, while the footpath on the west side of the road will be widened.
With long-term potential for 7,000 homes, the community is being planned and developed by The Grandhome Trust, a family-led entity that has held the land for more than 300 years.
The 40-year development is forecast to support almost 600 construction jobs annually.
