The UK’s leading social enterprise, Places for People (PfP), is delighted to announce the acquisition of land from The Grandhome Trust to deliver 84 new affordable homes as the final part of the first phase of Grandhome, a pioneering new community in Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.
As one of the UK’s largest affordable housing providers, PfP is committed to increasing the supply of much-needed housing in Scotland and will deliver the first set of affordable homes for Grandhome. A new community in Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, which aims to deliver unprecedented standards in the region for quality and place-making, Grandhome is the only proposal in the North-east adopted by the Scottish Government’s Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative.
With planning permission for 4,700 new homes across seven phases, Grandhome’s masterplan has been designed to deliver an exemplary community in terms of built environment, sense of place, civic amenities and quality of life, aligning closely with PfP’s commitment to create thriving communities. Plans will see these new affordable homes at Grandhome being built from Summer 2025.
With support from the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme, PfP will deliver a mixture of one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as two, three, and four-bedroom terraced housing. The collection of new and sustainable homes will include both affordable and social rent options. All homes are also designed in accordance with the Grandhome Development Framework and its associated Design Code, creating tenure blind housing that is consistent with the high standards delivered throughout the wider community, and with the regional identity of Donside.
Colin Jack, regional managing director of Places for People Developments Scotland said: “The Scottish Government have declared a housing emergency and PfP is committed to helping them address the chronic shortage of homes being built. There is a high unmet need for social rent and mid-market rent properties within the Aberdeen area and we are delighted to be able to expand on our work at Chapelton and help the Grandhome Trust in playing a part in addressing this crisis.
“The Grandhome development is approaching the end of the first phase, which will deliver 15% at affordable tenures, something that PfP is keen to help deliver. Using our team’s extensive housebuilding background, we can create communities that last for generations to come and deliver homes of an exemplary standard consistent with those already established at Grandhome.”
PfP owns or manages over 9,000 affordable rented homes across Scotland and delivers a range of accessible and diverse services. Dedicated to creating thriving communities, this development aims to support local jobs and identify local people for any construction vacancies. PfP will leverage their partnerships from their award-winning Chapelton development as well as committing a financial contribution for social value schemes, and local charity or community partnerships.
William Paton, on behalf of the Grandhome Trust, said: “This is a key milestone in Phase I, and we very much look forward to welcoming on-site Places for People as they start the process of delivering the first set of affordable homes at Grandhome.
“Affordable housing – delivered to the same exemplary standards in quality and design - has always been a central part of the vision for Grandhome, and we look forward to seeing these new homes become an integral part of the community, offering both choice and opportunity to those who need it most.”
Colin concludes: “As the UK’s leading social enterprise, we understand the importance of access to affordable housing. Our unique model supports us in delivering places that allow people to flourish. We don’t just build homes; we create thriving communities, and social value is at the heart of our approach. Alongside building these much-needed affordable homes, we will invest in local community organisations and charities to ensure everyone has access to the services and resources they need.”