Work has started on another new council housing development – the fourth in three months - as part of Aberdeen City Council’s flagship 2,000 new council houses building programme.
The development at Cloverhill in the community of Bridge of Don is one of nine sites across the city where Aberdeen City Council is building new council houses – the only council in Scotland to be building new council houses on this scale and to the Gold Standard.
Cloverhill will provide 536 homes which will be a mixture of flats, cottage flats, and two, three, and four bedroom houses. The design specification for Gold Standard requires energy efficient technologies that make homes greener and cheaper to run, enhanced space standards, and increased natural light.
Cloverhill is one of several sites across Aberdeen which form part of the wider Aberdeen City Council Housing Programme aiming to address a long-term shortage of affordable social rented housing in the city. Work at two sites in Kincorth and one in Tillydrone started in December.
Aberdeen City Council Leader Councillor Jenny Laing said: “I’m delighted to see work start at the Cloverhill site as this development is an important part of our plan to build 2,000 new council homes in Aberdeen.
“Our council house-building programme is providing high quality homes of differing sizes suitable for a range of tenants in community settings around the city, and it is the biggest housing programme in Aberdeen for more than 50 years.
“Cloverhill is a significant development which will see 536 top class council homes added to the council’s housing stock and I look forward to seeing the build programme progress in the coming months.”
Aberdeen City Council city growth and resources convener Councillor Ryan Houghton said: “It is fantastic that work has started at Cloverhill as these new homes will make a difference to the quality of life for our tenants.
“These new homes will not only be energy efficient but also low maintenance and built to an extremely high quality in the industry-recognised Gold Standard.”
“I’m sure the residents the Bridge of Don will enjoy watching the new homes being built and we look forward to when they are completed and tenants move in.”
The vision of the Aberdeen City Council’s Housing Programme is to create sustainable integrated communities and places by delivering affordable homes designed for life which meet residents’ current and changing needs, while supporting the wellbeing and resilience of tenants.
They will meet the most demand for council properties including flats for single people, flats for families, terraced houses, wheelchair-friendly properties, and a small number of amenity bungalows. They are being designed for exacting standards including housing for various needs, dementia friendly, low carbon, low maintenance, and to meet the Gold Standard.
Bancon is the main contractor at Cloverhill. Managing Director Allan Clow said: “We are proud to have been awarded such a major contract by Aberdeen City Council and look forward to supporting them with the delivery of their council housing programme."
Property developer HBD has been appointed as development manager for Cloverhill. Matt Bellshaw, Director and Head of Region for Scotland at HBD, said: “We’re proud to be working alongside Aberdeen City Council on the delivery of this development that will provide these much-needed homes in a sought-after area of Aberdeen. Cloverhill will help set a new benchmark for high-quality, energy efficient local authority housing.
“Close to areas of employment with easy access to public transport, Cloverhill will also feature usable open space, landscaping and parkland for the whole community to enjoy, fostering community spirit and promoting sustainability and well-being.”