Edinburgh building news 2024, Lothian architecture images, Scottish architects, Modern Scotland property design

Edinburgh Building News 2024: Architecture

post updated 17 July 2024

22 July 2024

Army HQ Properties to be Refurbished

An exciting refurbishment of 78 former army HQ homes in one of Edinburgh’s most sought-after areas is due to start. The houses, once home to military families, will now be renovated into quality starter homes and family residences, nestled within the scenic surroundings of the northwest fringe of Edinburgh:

Craigiehall Meadows Homes

17 July 2024
Edinburgh Festival Fringe draws back the curtain on sustainable living with its Green Home Festival

Edinburgh, Scotland – The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, renowned for its vibrant theatre and comedy performances, is expanding its traditional repertoire to include sustainable home and community living, with the popular Green Home Festival making a return.

Now in its third year, the Green Home Festival will take centre stage at Charlotte Square Gardens from 12 to 16 August. At its newly designed venue, the festival will feature a variety of shows, including workshops, panel discussions and live demonstrations, all aimed at encouraging sustainable living practices.

This year’s programme of free-to-attend shows includes:

• Accessing and maximising funding options: Learn how to access all the available funding to help in your home transformations.
• Demystifying the retrofit journey: A step-by-step guide to retrofitting your home.
• Passivhaus for self-builders: Explore energy-efficient building strategies for self-build projects.
• Smart home heating technologies: Discover cutting-edge solutions for heating your home efficiently.
• Debunking myths about heat pumps in older homes: Clearing up common misconceptions and outlining benefits of installing a heat pump in pre-1919 homes.
• Sustainable materials in construction: From low-carbon bricks to innovative seaweed-based paints and more.

Gordon Nelson, Scotland Director of the Federation of Master Builders and lead organiser, commented, “The Green Home Festival’s ever-growing popularity reflects the increasing demand for sustainable living solutions. We aim to educate, inform, and inspire action towards greener practices crucial for our future.

“Leveraging the popularity of the globally renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe allows us to effectively communicate the essential changes and diverse options available to everyone for a low carbon transition.”

Targeting a wide audience from homeowners and community groups to international visitors, the festival shows that small changes can have a big environmental impact. Featuring a lineup of expert speakers and practical demonstrations, such as a full-size heat pump, the Green Home Festival is essential for anyone interested in making a sustainable difference.

Admission to all events at the Green Home Festival is free. For more information and to book your tickets, please visit www.greenhomefestival.co.uk.

15 July 2024
Affordable Homes Stalled Due To Funding Cuts

Over 1,800 new affordable homes have been stalled as a result of funding cuts to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) which was reduced by nearly 26% in the Scottish Budget in March.

That is the finding of data collected from members of representative body Homes for Scotland (HFS) which reveals that around 5,000 new, high quality, energy efficient homes (1,826 of which are designated as affordable housing) are on sites that have stalled because of cuts to the AHSP.

Read the news in full at Glasgow Building News

8 July 2024

Homes for Scotland response to Chancellor’s speech on housing and planning

Responding to the speech given by the Chancellor today, Homes for Scotland Chief Executive Jane Wood said:

“It is very encouraging to see the new UK government placing a major emphasis on housing delivery and the planning system, with the new Chancellor making announcements on these within 72 hours. But with both of these matters devolved, will the Scottish Government listen to those who are saying unequivocally “it’s not working for us” and recalibrate to change the alarming downwards trajectory on housing numbers?

Will it bravely acknowledge that the root causes lie not only in UK capital budgets but in an underinvestment in our planning regime and a regulatory environment that fails to recognise the unintended consequences of policies created with poor understanding of the costs, the impacts on consumers and, critically, on those organisations, both private and public who build the much-needed homes of all tenures that we require?

“With another 18 months before the Scottish 2026 elections, there IS time for impactful change. Together with other stakeholders, we have set out a clear action plan of what needs to happen. With collaboration, strong leadership, evidenced and informed policy making and measured consultations and collaboration, we can reverse the year-on-year decline in housing numbers (latest figures show significant falls in both starts and completions at 15% and 17% respectively) and address the shortfall of more than 100,000 homes that has accumulated since 2008.”

25 June 2024

Housing Starts And Completions Continue Rapid Decline, Crippling Social Wellbeing And Aspirations Of Scots

New statistics published today continue to show Scotland’s housing situation is in rapid decline, with both starts and completions across all sectors falling significantly (by 15 per cent and 17 per cent respectively) in the financial year end to March 2024. This now represents four consecutive quarters of decline in all-sector housing starts, a key indicator of future housing completions.

The figures are a stark reminder of the national housing emergency encompassing all tenures, with private sector starts and completions falling by 16 per cent and 13 per cent respectively between financial years 2022–2023 and 2023–2024, whilst the social sector has seen starts and completions drop by 14 per cent and 27 per cent. Whilst a national housing emergency was declared in May, the situation has been unfolding for years, with 2024 Q1 figures showing that all-tenure housing starts and completions are now down 55 per cent and 21 per cent against pre-recession levels (2008 Q1).

Jane Wood, Chief Executive of sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS), which represents members delivering the majority of the country’s new homes of all tenures, said:
“It has now been over a month since the Scottish Government finally acknowledged the housing emergency which is crippling the social wellbeing and aspirations of the people of Scotland.

“Evidence of how deep rooted the situation is mounting all the time, not least with an additional four local authorities having now declared their own respective emergencies since the last housing statistics were published.

“On the basis of the figures released today, the people of Scotland deserve more than platitudes and excuses. Our own research also highlights the decline of SME home builders and thousands of new homes now stalled across the country as a result of affordable housing budget cuts.

“HFS, alongside other major housing stakeholders, has set out a clear Housing Emergency Action Plan that must be addressed urgently if we are to tackle this crisis effectively.

“We and our members have tabled a range of evidenced solutions to increase the delivery of high quality, sustainable homes of all tenures at pace and stand ready to work with the Scottish Government and all others who wish to see housing supply increased to achieve this.”

24 June 2024

Trustees for the Scottish Historic Building Trust

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust is a leading charitable organisation dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and sustainable development of Scotland’s historic buildings. Our mission is to safeguard architecturally and culturally significant buildings for future generations while ensuring they contribute to the vibrant life of our communities.

Our team has specialist skills in historic building preservation, fundraising, project management and property management. We also bring expertise in event management, building interpretation and in delivering educational programmes. So far, we have restored over 30 buildings and raised more than £30 million.

Following a recent review, we are seeking to appoint four additional trustees to join our strong and committed board. We are particularly interested in inspirational and dynamic applicants with experience in one or more of the following areas:

Strategy development and leadership
Finance

Heritage conservation
Marketing
Fundraising

Property development
Asset management

By joining SHBT as a Trustee, you’ll have the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Scotland’s historic landscape. Your professional expertise and passion for our built heritage will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our organisation and the preservation of Scotland’s history.

Trustees serve a term of three years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further three years. Successful applicants will be expected to attend four meetings a year, either at one of our own buildings or another site of interest and will have over-arching statutory duties in respect of governance.

For more information on the work of SHBT please visit our website at www.shbt.org.uk. To apply, please send a summary CV together with a covering letter outlining how you will contribute to the Board to [email protected]

Registered Charity number No. SC034507

6 June 2024

Scotland Takes the Lead For Affordability

We cover a comprehensive analysis of the UK housing market, highlighting Scotland’s dominance among the most affordable areas to buy a home in 2024.

In an extensive study of 325 areas across the UK, Scotland has emerged as a beacon of housing affordability. The research identified that 16 out of the top 20 most affordable places to buy a home in Britain are in Scotland. This underscores the country’s appeal for potential homeowners seeking affordable yet quality living options.

Key Findings for the most affordable areas in Scotland:

1. Angus: Leading the pack as the most affordable place in the UK, Angus boasts an average house price of £164,076. With median annual earnings for couples at £70,959 and a house price-to-earnings ratio of just 2.31, Angus offers exceptional value. The average council tax in Angus is £1,756.
2. West Dunbartonshire: With an average house price of £136,668 and median annual earnings of £67,881, the house price-to-earnings ratio stands at a favourable 2.01. The average council tax is £1,865.
3. Aberdeenshire: Ranking third, Aberdeenshire has an average house price of £200,276. Couples here earn a median income of £70,179, resulting in a house price-to-earnings ratio of 2.85 and an average council tax of £1,858.
4. North Ayrshire: Offering an average house price of £130,943 and median earnings of £74,204, North Ayrshire presents a house price-to-earnings ratio of 1.76, with an average council tax of £1,936.
5. North Lanarkshire: With an average house price of £138,557 and median earnings of £73,164, the house price-to-earnings ratio is 1.89, and the average council tax is £1,761.

Key Findings for the Least Affordable Areas in Scotland:

1. Midlothian is ranked 35th in affordability within Scotland, with an average house price of £240,896. Couples here have median earnings of £65,728, resulting in a house price-to-earnings ratio of 3.67. The average council tax is £2,020, leading to a final score of 77.
2. City of Edinburgh ranks 46th in Scotland and has an average house price of £325,659. With median annual couple earnings at £77,626, the house price-to-earnings ratio stands at 4.20. The average council tax is £1,930, resulting in a final score of 77.
3. East Dunbartonshire is ranked 70th, with an average house price of £271,873. Couples earn a median income of £63,315, resulting in a house price-to-earnings ratio of 4.29. The average council tax is £1,888, leading to a final score of 75.
4. East Renfrewshire comes in at 124th place, with an average house price of £293,129. The median annual earnings for couples are £66,134, giving a house price-to-earnings ratio of 4.43. The average council tax is £1,887, resulting in a final score of 73.
5. East Lothian ranks 136th, with an average house price of £308,378. Couples earn £68,224 annually, with a house price-to-earnings ratio of 4.52. The average council tax is £1,914, resulting in a final score of 73.

Detailed Analysis and Insights

The study delves into various factors that influence housing affordability, including average house prices, income levels, and council taxes. Scotland’s regions have consistently shown stable price increases and favourable earnings, making it an attractive destination for homebuyers.

Angus stands out not only for its affordability but also for its stable housing market, with a modest price increase of 3.94% since 2020. Similarly, other regions like West Dunbartonshire and Aberdeenshire have seen price rises of 5.34% and 3.67% respectively, indicating a healthy yet affordable housing market.

Hopkins Homes emphasises that these findings are crucial for first-time buyers and seasoned homeowners alike, providing them with valuable insights to make informed decisions in the housing market.

Scotland’s Top Affordable Housing Hotspots for 2024

UK Rank Area Code Area Name County/Local Authority Region Average Price (Jan 2024) Average House Price Change Since 2020 (%) Annual Median Couple Earnings (2023) House Price to Couples Earnings Ratio Average Council Tax Final Score

1 S12000041 Angus Angus Scotland £164,076 3.94 £70,959 2.31 £1,756 85
2 S12000039 West Dunbartonshire West Dunbartonshire Scotland £136,668 5.34 £67,881 2.01 £1,865 84
3 S12000034 Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire Scotland £200,276 3.67 £70,179 2.85 £1,858 83
4 S12000021 North Ayrshire North Ayrshire Scotland £130,943 6.54 £74,204 1.76 £1,936 83
5 S12000050 North Lanarkshire North Lanarkshire Scotland £138,557 7.03 £73,164 1.89 £1,761 83
6 S12000018 Inverclyde Inverclyde Scotland £125,836 7.14 £66,383 1.90 £1,906 82
7 S12000008 East Ayrshire East Ayrshire Scotland £128,549 7.48 £68,245 1.88 £1,983 82
8 S12000029 South Lanarkshire South Lanarkshire Scotland £166,162 7.13 £75,098 2.21 £1,734 81
9 S12000038 Renfrewshire Renfrewshire Scotland £156,917 7.06 £67,153 2.34 £1,915 81
10 S12000014 Falkirk Falkirk Scotland £168,536 7.14 £75,785 2.22 £1,818 81
11 S12000028 South Ayrshire South Ayrshire Scotland £175,071 6.73 £77,064 2.27 £1,938 81
13 S12000005 Clackmannanshire Clackmannanshire Scotland £167,646 7.48 £65,645 2.55 £1,881 80
14 S12000047 Fife Fife Scotland £169,568 7.66 £64,771 2.62 £1,847 80
15 S12000017 Highland Highland Scotland £207,903 6.46 £69,098 3.01 £1,903 79
17 S12000027 Shetland Islands Shetland Islands Scotland £220,740 7.31 £89,357 2.47 £1,681 79
19 S12000026 Scottish Borders Scottish Borders Scotland £201,430 7.49 £67,818 2.97 £1,808 79
21 S12000020 Moray Moray Scotland £188,082 7.85 £67,309 2.79 £1,908 79
25 S12000040 West Lothian West Lothian Scotland £215,670 7.38 £70,678 3.05 £1,855 78
28 S12000030 Stirling Stirling Scotland £246,777 5.95 £69,482 3.55 £1,975 78
35 S12000019 Midlothian Midlothian Scotland £240,896 6.21 £65,728 3.67 £2,020 77
46 S12000036 City of Edinburgh City of Edinburgh Scotland £325,659 4.45 £77,626 4.20 £1,930 77
70 S12000045 East Dunbartonshire East Dunbartonshire Scotland £271,873 7.30 £63,315 4.29 £1,888 75
124 S12000011 East Renfrewshire East Renfrewshire Scotland £293,129 7.94 £66,134 4.43 £1,887 73
136 S12000010 East Lothian East Lothian Scotland £308,378 7.63 £68,224 4.52 £1,914 73

Methodology

This study analysed 325 areas across England, Scotland, and Wales to assess housing affordability. Each area was evaluated based on the following factors, with each area receiving a normalised score out of 100. It was done by Hopkins Homes. The overall performance of each area was calculated by combining these individual scores, with appropriate weights assigned to reflect their importance. The final composite score, ranging from 40 to 85, offers a statistically meaningful assessment of each area’s overall affordability.

The final dataset stores only the actual feature values, not the individual weighted or normalised scores.

Criteria and Weights:

1. Average House Price (January 2024):
This indicates the average cost of purchasing a property in each area as of January 2024. Data was sourced from the GOV.UK’s House Price Index.
Weight: -0.5

2. Percentage of Average House Price Change Since 2020:
This factor captures the percentage change in average house prices from 2020 to January 2024, providing insights into market trends and price stability. Data was sourced from the GOV.UK’s House Price Index.
Weight: -0.2

3. House Price to Couples Earnings Ratio:
This ratio was calculated by dividing the average house price by the median annual earnings for couples, providing a measure of housing affordability relative to local income levels. Median income data was sourced and processed from ONS employee earning data.
Weight: -0.2

4. Average Council Tax:
The average council tax for each area, across all bands from A to I, was considered as an ongoing cost impacting overall housing affordability. Data was sourced from completelymoved.co.
Weight: -0.1
Methodology: Further Details
The actual scores were adjusted to range from 40 to 85 to provide more realistic and comprehensible results for readers. The weights applied to each feature are subjective and designed to emphasise the most critical aspects of housing affordability.
By applying these weights to the normalised scores, we created a composite score for each area, reflecting a balanced and comprehensive view of housing affordability.

3 June 2024

Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition

After being recently exhibited at the Sir John Soane Museum for the World Architecture Festival drawing prize, architect Alan Dunlop’s triptych of the 2018 Mackintosh inferno has now been accepted by the Royal Academy of Arts for their summer exhibition. The show begins on 18th June.

Glasgow School of Art Inferno Triptych – text from Scottish architect Alan Dunlop:

On June 15, 2018, Mackintosh’s Glasgow School of Art was destroyed by an inferno that lit up the city.

More than 150 firefighters were deployed, with crews resorting to pumping water from the River Clyde. So severe was the damage that a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service investigation was unable to establish how the fire started.

I hope the three watercolours, presented as a triptych, will serve as a reminder of just how ferocious the 2018 fire was and how much of a loss Mackintosh’s masterwork was for Glasgow, Scotland and the world, when it was ravaged by flames for the second time in four years.

27 May 2024

Women in Property Central Scotland Student Awards News

Two students from the Universities of Strathclyde and Edinburgh have been announced as the regional winners at the Women in Property Central Scotland Student Awards, kindly sponsored by Avison Young, BakerHicks and Tilbury Douglas. The event provided employers in the property and construction sector with a platform to engage with some of the most promising undergraduates in the built environment sector, and was hosted alongside the branch’s annual Summer Drinks reception, by Gardiner & Theobald at Bonnie and Wild in Edinburgh.

Read this news in full at Glasgow Building News 2024

24 May 2024

Collective Action in Architecture

Friday 31 May, 6.45 – 8pm

Join Jude Barber RSA (Elect), architect and director at Collective Architecture, for a candid discussion about teamwork, intersectional thinking, and feminist leadership as tools to address the challenges and opportunities of our time.

Jude will be joined by a panel of industry speakers who are exhibiting in the 198th Annual Exhibition, and discussions will focus on how we can better acknowledge the collaborative nature of architectural practice and how this would enrich how buildings and places evolve over time.

Edinburgh Architecture Events

20 May 2024

Homes For Scotland Announces Annual Award Winners

With a focus on how its members are meeting the housing needs of everyone living (or who wishes to live) in Scotland, the winners of this year’s Homes for Scotland (HFS) awards have been announced.

The annual event, which was attended by over 900 senior representatives from across the home building sector in Edinburgh on Friday 17 May, was hosted by comedian, podcaster and writer Jen Brister.

Scottish Architecture News 2024

15 May 2024

Scottish Design Awards 2024 on 27 June

Nominees for the Scottish Design Awards 2024 can begin chewing their fingernails as we begin the final countdown to the awards presentation on 27 June.

The judging panels have been busy rating hundreds of entries, sifting out the most exceptional submissions for a coveted gold or silver award.

All those in the running can now prepare for the dramatic culmination of the awards process as each winner is recognised for achievements and broader contributions to the architecture and design community.

Scottish Design Awards 2024

15 May 2024

Housing emergency declaration welcomed but focus must be on what happens next

Sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS), which represents organisations delivering the majority of the country’s new homes, supports today’s anticipated declaration of a national housing emergency. However, it now asks that political leadership demonstrates a move from a position of blame to one of solution and change. Regulatory reform is now required to increase the supply of new homes across all tenures, as well as reversing the devastating cuts to the Housing and Building Standards Budget.

Read the post in full at Glasgow Building News 2024

15 May 2024

Scottish Design Awards News

15 May 2024

Candleriggs Square Property News

A significant milestone has been reached in the £300 million regeneration of Candleriggs Square in Glasgow’s Merchant City, one of Scotland’s most high-profile city centre development sites. Developed by a joint venture bringing together Drum Property Group and Stamford Investments, the site has marked its first completed building following the highly awaited opening of the UK’s first The Social Hub – a four-star hybrid hospitality location combining hotel, student & extended stay accommodation, co-working space and leisure facilities:

>Candleriggs Square Apartments Merchant City

15 May 2024

Housing Crisis announcement by the Scottish Government

Edinburgh, Scotland – Following the Scottish Government’s declaration of a national housing crisis, The Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) urgently calls on government and industry leaders to launch a comprehensive national retrofit plan. This strategy would harness the tens of thousands of vacant, sub-standard properties across Scotland, transforming them into energy-efficient homes and significantly alleviating the housing shortage and its environmental impact.

Commenting on the crisis, Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of SNIPEF, said, “Revitalising these empty properties through a national retrofit strategy is not just about providing more homes; it’s a critical step towards addressing our dual crises of housing and climate change.

“By retrofitting these homes, we improve the energy efficiency of our national housing stock, reducing overall carbon emissions and moving Scotland closer to its net-zero targets.”

SNIPEF calls for a more efficient use of government resources and stresses the importance of leveraging the knowledge and expertise within the construction sector to tackle this crisis effectively.

“We call upon stakeholders from all sectors to unite in support of this initiative, which offers a sustainable and inclusive approach to housing and environmental policy,” Hodgson urges.

About SNIPEF

The Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) is the leading trade association for the plumbing and heating profession, representing over 750 member businesses across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Guided by its vision of ‘Enabling Professionalism,’ SNIPEF is dedicated to advancing the profession through comprehensive skills development, supporting over 1,000 plumbing apprentices annually, and upskilling the existing workforce.

This commitment underscores SNIPEF’s aim to support growth, competitiveness, and sustainability in the profession, reinforcing its belief that professionalism drives excellence in plumbing and heating.

13 May 2024

The National Monument of Scotland Reimagined

The UK is home to many famous and historic buildings, but what if alternative design plans for these structures had triumphed over what we see today?

TransPennine Express has reimagined 6 iconic landmarks to show exactly how the UK could have looked. Diving into the archives and uncovering original design plans, competition entries, and architectural options, they’ve had a 3D visual designer bring them to life.

One such reimagined landmark is The National Monument of Scotland in Edinburgh.

Situated atop Calton Hill, the National Monument of Scotland is a memorial to those who died fighting in the Napoleonic Wars from 1803 to 1815. Whilst famous, it gets mixed reviews from the Scots. First suggested by the Highland Society of Scotland in 1816, there was no funding made available by the government. Building began in 1822, with only a tiny proportion of the funds needed in place. Work eventually halted in 1829 with only a small part of the Parthenon structure ever being built.

Before the funding troubles, there were two architectural plans with the alternative Pantheon-style church structure designed by Archibald Elliot first chosen to be the final design. It’s now been reimagined in this grander, dome-style.

National Monument Edinburgh

9 May 2024

Homes-Led Transformation of Edinburgh’s Caledonian Brewery

The homes-led transformation of the former Caledonian Brewery in Shandon, Edinburgh, is now a step closer to reality with the submission of a major planning application to the City of Edinburgh Council. Following a comprehensive three-month consultation programme, regeneration specialist Artisan Real Estate has unveiled ambitious proposals to develop the historic brewery site into a sustainable, low-carbon residential development delivering 168 new homes:

Caledonian Brewery Edinburgh homes news

9 May 2024

Home builders warmly welcome proposal for standalone National Outcome on Housing

Sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS), which represents members who together deliver the majority of the country’s new homes, has warmly welcomed today’s news that the Scottish Government is proposing to introduce a standalone National Outcome on Housing – something the organisation has campaigned strongly for.

At a time when five local authorities have declared housing emergencies and independent research has found that 28 per cent of all Scottish households are in some form of housing need, HFS Chief Executive Jane Wood, said:

“I am delighted to see Housing being proposed as a standalone National Outcome following our ask during the consultation process. Recognising how foundational housing across all tenures is for everyone, this is a major step forward, not only for all of us representing the sector at this very challenging time but also, and more importantly, those desperately in need of a home.

“With the new leadership that is now in place, we look forward to working with government on integrating housing across directorates in recognition of its critical role in Scotland’s social wellbeing, economic success and transition to net zero.”

7 May 2024

Scottish Housing Crisis News

Responding to this afternoon’s appointment of John Swinney as First Minister, Jane Wood, Chief Executive of sector body Homes for Scotland, said:

“With the housing crisis intensifying across the country, impacting both social and economic outcomes, there is a pressing need for dedicated, single-issue leadership at Cabinet level in order to reflect both the urgency of the situation and the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring that we have the range of homes that Scotland requires for its future wellbeing and success. Homes for Scotland and its members stand ready to work positively and constructively with the new administration to achieve this.”

30 April 2024

Scotland’s National Retrofit Centre News

BE-ST (Built Environment – Smarter Transformation) is proud to announce that it has been awarded over £1.2M in grant funding from the Scottish Government’s Salix Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund, to retrofit the Accelerator Lab at its Hamilton Technology Park Innovation Campus – which houses Scotland’s National Retrofit Centre. BE-ST is Scotland’s national innovation centre for the built environment and is administered by Edinburgh Napier University.

See Glasgow Building News 2024 for more.

26 April 2024

Scottish Housing Crisis News

Sector body Homes for Scotland, which represents organisations delivering the majority of the country’s new homes, has described today’s announcement by the First Minister of a £80 million uplift over the next two years for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) as doing little to alleviate the glaring black hole in the AHSP budget following its recent 26 per cent cut and absolutely nothing to increase the overall supply of homes.

See the Glasgow Building News 2024 page for the full details

18 April 2024

Home building sector calls on Scottish Government to pause and review viability of net zero legislation from housing delivery perspective.

Today’s Ministerial Statement from Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan MSP, which confirmed that the Scottish Government can no longer fulfil its commitment of a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 reflects long-standing home building sector concerns on the viability of original timescales in relation to the transition to net zero.

Jane Wood, Chief Executive of representative body Homes for Scotland, said:
“The home building sector has been clear and consistent in its recognition of and support for the need to do more at the earliest practicable opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the construction and operation of new build homes but has long-standing concerns regarding the viability of legislation being brought forward to achieve this and lack of a clear and co-ordinated delivery route map.

“With four Local Authorities already declaring housing emergencies, an accumulated shortfall of over 100,000 homes since 2008 and recent research showing that over a quarter of households are facing some form of housing need, it is imperative that all future regulation and policy is considered in this context.

“Given the current economic conditions and regulatory challenges our home builder members who operate across all tenures face, this transition, much like the overarching ambition to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030, is unachievable under current timescales.

“We therefore encourage the Scottish Government to pause and review any further regulation, such as their commitment to introduce a Passivhaus Equivalent Standard for new homes from 2025. and to work with us and other stakeholders to prepare a clear road map which would enable the sector to deliver low-carbon homes at scale and pace, ensuring that Scotland has the homes it requires to meet the needs of its people.”

Edinburgh Building News 2024 for Spring

17 April 2024

Scotland’s heritage sector skills gap roadmap

A five-year plan has been launched to help tackle Scotland’s heritage skills gaps. The skills strategy is a collaborative framework to create collective solutions that support the future of our historic environment and the communities across Scotland that rely on it:

Full details at Glasgow Building News 2024

9 April 2024

Phase one at Royal Meadows sees 22 homes come to market

The first homes have been released at one of Scotland’s most high-profile developments, that is transforming Edinburgh’s former Royal Hospital for Sick Children into a range of luxury homes:

Royal Meadows Edinburgh luxury property

4 April 2024

Scottish land art recognised as nationally important

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has today added Crawick Multiverse to the inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes:

Crawick Multiverse land art installation, Scotland

28 March 2024

Simplifying the planning process

Updating permitted development rights in response to cost and climate challenges.

New measures to simplify the planning process for zero and low carbon technologies will help homeowners and businesses save money and reduce their emissions:

– check out the full story at Scottish Architecture News

27 March 2024

The Pevsner Architectural Guide to Lothian

With Professor Aonghus MacKechnie.

Thursday 11 April, 7.30pm

This is the first revision of Colin McWilliam’s pioneer volume in the Buildings of Scotland series, fully resurveyed and based on extensive new research.

Professor Aonghus MacKechnie, who revised the entry on Haddington, will talk about the book, and take questions from the audience.

Admission is free.

See Edinburgh Architecture Events for details.

26 March 2024

Scottish Government Can No Longer Ignore Housing Crisis

Scotland’s population and home building sector deserve better than same old responses week after fourth local authority declares housing emergency

New statistics published today reflect Scotland’s dire housing situation, with both completions and starts across all sectors falling significantly by 11 per cent and 24% respectively in the year end to December 2023.

– see Scottish Architecture News

3 March 2024
RSA Diploma Talk by Paul Stallan RSA (Elect)

In this inaugural talk of our new Diploma series, the acclaimed director of Stallan-Brand architects will guide us through his gallery and studio, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at his creative process. The highlight of the evening will be an in-depth discussion with RSA’s Head of Collections, Sandy Wood, which will focus on Stallan’s proposed diploma deposit.

Thursday 21 March, 6.30 – 8pm

Oxford House, 80 Nicholson St, Glasgow

Tickets £15

2 March 2024
Scottish Buildings – RAAC Found

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been found in about 500 homes in the Balnagask area of Torry, including 364 council properties.

Hundreds of people were alerted to the problem on Thursday, reports the BBC.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said it was now beyond its lifespan and may “collapse with little or no notice”.

BBC Scotland News understands Aberdeen City Council hopes the majority of council tenants will be rehomed by the end of the summer.

But homeowners fear they will have to leave their homes or spend thousands on surveying and repairs.

RAAC found in Balnagask, Aberdeen

27 February 2024
Housing crisis set to deepen even further as Scottish Government Budget passed

Future supply of homes coming forward across all tenures threatened as cuts to housing and planning budgets passed

Today’s passing of the Scottish Budget 2024 – 2025 at Holyrood will perpetuate housing inequality across the country and limit the number of new homes coming forward across all tenures, says sector body Homes for Scotland (HFS).

With a cut of 27.7% to the Housing and Building Standards Budget and further cuts of 26% and 43% to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme and Planning Budget respectively confirmed, HFS Director of Policy Fionna Kell said:

“Whilst we welcome the Deputy First Minister’s commitment that housing will be treated with priority should further funds become available as a result of announcements by the Chancellor next week, the Budget passed today will only serve to deepen the housing inequality being felt across the country and risks losing the significant socio-economic benefits that come through increased home building across all tenures.

“The cuts come at a time when multiple Local Authorities have declared housing emergencies and recent independent research has shown that there are 693,000 Scottish households facing at least one form of housing need.

“Instead of cutting housing budgets, now is the time to maximise the wide-ranging socio-economic benefits offered by ensuring Scotland has the homes it needs to meet the needs of its people.”

26 February 2024
Housing And Planning Budget Cuts Opposed

Worst possible decision at worst possible time

26th of February 2024 – An open letter in today’s Daily Record is urging the First Minister to think again about the cuts being proposed to the 2024-25 budgets for housing and planning.

The call comes the day before the Scottish Parliament votes on the draft Scottish Budget for the year ahead and follows the findings of independent research showing that 693,000 Scottish households are facing some form of housing need.

See Glasgow Building News 2024 for the details.

21 February 2024

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust appoints new Director

21st February 2024 – Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, the charity dedicated to regenerating significant historic buildings across Scotland, has appointed Dr Samuel Gallacher as Director.

photo courtesy of SHBT

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust plays a unique role in preserving and promoting the nation’s heritage and in its 40-year history has so far restored over 30 buildings and raised more than £30 million. SHBT’s wide portfolio of restored buildings include Riddle’s Court in Edinburgh, Liberton Bank House in Edinburgh, Strathleven House in Dunbartonshire, Law’s Close in Kirkcaldy, and most recently, Port House in Jedburgh.

Sam joins the Trust from his role as Keeper of The Burrell Collection in Glasgow, the category A-listed modernist museum building and home to the world-famous collection of fine and decorative arts amassed by shipping merchant Sir William Burrell which was named Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2023 following a major refurbishment project. Formerly Assistant Director of the Medici Archive Project in Florence, Italy, more recently he worked for the National Trust for Scotland in Glasgow, Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders managing a broad range of historic buildings, capital projects, natural and designed landscapes, and art collections.

Passionate about Scotland’s architectural heritage, he has written and lectured on the subject, as well as consulted for Glasgow City Heritage Trust on buildings at risk, is a trustee of the Provan Hall Community Management Trust in Easterhouse and is a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. He has recently been appointed a judge for the European Art Museum of the Year awards, with a special interest in the use and refurbishment of historic buildings as museums.

Maggie Wright, chair of Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, said “We are delighted to welcome Sam to the Trust and look forward to working with him to bring buildings in decline back to life for the benefit of communities across Scotland. Under his leadership, our very talented team will continue work on our current projects at the Tron on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and at Leith Custom House which we are operating as an arts hub while we develop restoration plans. This is an exciting appointment for the Trust that will shape the next phase of our development as a key player in Scotland’s heritage community.”

Sam Gallacher said “Scotland should be rightly proud of its incredible collection of built heritage ranging across our towns and cities, our countryside and coastlines. These historic buildings are a tangible connection to our past, but I believe they also have an important role to play in our future. As we seek ways to foster civic identity, community access to the arts and heritage, more sustainable building practices, regenerated high streets, and dare I say it, nourish more broadly an appreciation of why beautiful historic architecture matters still today, I am excited at the potential of Scottish Historic Buildings Trust to make a lasting contribution across the country. Building on the Trust’s outstanding track record for delivering significant restoration projects, its championing of the ever-relevant ideas of Patrick Geddes and sharing widely its knowledge and expertise amounts to a huge responsibility, but one which I am honoured to take on as Director.”

He takes over the role from Una Richards who stepped down as Chief Executive in 2023.

For further information, please contact Fiona Sim or log onto www.shbt.org.uk

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust is a Charity and Building Preservation Trust with over 40 years’ experience saving derelict and redundant buildings throughout the whole of Scotland. Everyone has driven or walked past a forlorn and unloved historic building at some time. You may have wondered why it isn’t being used or why doesn’t someone do something with it? The answer is often complex and the solutions equally so. It takes a special group of people to identify a way forward and restore these buildings to the benefit of the community. SHBT is a dynamic and innovative charity that does just that. (www.shbt.org.uk)

14 February 2024

Scottish Design Awards 2024 Jury

The Scottish Design Awards 2024 are pleased to present our twin judging panels for our 2024 awards, a handpicked team drawn from across the country with experience ranging from practice to academia and local government.

Read more at: Scottish Design Awards 2024

14 February 2024

Woeful Scottish Planning Statistics

Woeful planning statistics are unacceptable with average processing times for major housing developments now taking over a year on average.

Critical government action required against backdrop of Local Authority housing emergencies and research showing 693,000 Scottish households in some form of housing need.

Read more at: Scottish Architecture News

12 January 2024
Major Planning Application Submitted for New £2 Billion Edinburgh Neighbourhood

image courtesy of Drum Property Group
One the most significant and sustainable urban expansions of Edinburgh in a generation is a step closer to reality following the submission of a major planning application to the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC). West Town Edinburgh Limited, the development consortium headed by Drum Property Group which owns more than 200-acres of prime development land to the west of Edinburgh, has unveiled ambitious proposals for West Town, a new homes-led ‘twenty-minute’ neighbourhood set to transform Scotland’s capital:
West Town Edinburgh homes planning application

5 January 2024
Homes for Scotland response to latest Halifax House Price Index
Responding to the Halifax December House Price Index which was published today and shows Scottish growth of 2.6% in 2023 compared to 1.7% for the UK overall, Jane Wood, Chief Executive of sector body Homes for Scotland, said:

“Today’s report shows Scotland as the second strongest nation or region in the UK with 2.6% growth in the price of the average home.

“The new year has started with major lenders reducing rates and Moneyfacts reporting average two and five year fixes at their lowest levels in nearly seven months. Together with Scotland’s better affordability, this should prove a confidence boost for buyers, particularly in the context of house price growth, as Halifax says, likely being driven by lack of supply.”

2 January 2024
Scottish Architect News

The Glasgow School of Art Fire by Scottish architect Alan Dunlop has been shortlisted in the hand-drawn category of the Sir John Soane Museum GSA Architecture Drawing Prize – see Alan Dunlop

More contemporary Edinburgh Building News 2024 online soon

Some More Edinburgh Building News from December 2023 online soon for reference:

22 December 2023
Artisan Real Estate Purchases Edinburgh’s Caledonian Brewery

image courtesy of Artisan Real Estate
Regeneration specialist Artisan Real Estate has agreed terms with Heineken UK to purchase the 1.9-acre Caledonian Brewery in Shandon. Artisan has submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to develop the historic site into a sustainable, low-carbon residential development, with plans to deliver around 170 new homes. A major public consultation programme seeking feedback on the proposals for the site will start in February 2024:
Caledonian Brewery Edinburgh homes

19 December 2023
Builders Express Shock At Level Of Budget Cuts To Housing And Planning

Concern policies acting as a deterrent to investment

With the Scottish Government today announcing a 43 per cent funding cut for planning and a 33 per cent drop in the More Homes budget, Chief Executive of home building sector body Homes for Scotland Jane Wood said:

“We were prepared for a tough budget but, in the context of three local authorities having declared housing emergencies this year, the level of cuts we have seen across both the Affordable Housing Supply Programme and the planning system this afternoon is quite shocking.
“Coming on the back of last week’s statistics showing that the chronic undersupply of housing is intensifying, this not only threatens Scotland’s social wellbeing by perpetuating housing inequality but also its economic success and the transition to net zero.

“As we continue to highlight, private and affordable housing delivery are interconnected. With 30 per cent of affordable housing generated by the private sector, the more homes for sale that can be built, the more affordable homes will be available. Given the planning system is already on its knees, a cut of the magnitude announced today will serve only to increase delay and cost and do nothing to encourage crucial private sector investment.

“Indeed, we have spent a large part of this year flagging concerns to the Scottish Government that its policies are acting as a deterrent to investment. There is clear evidence now on the impact that the increasingly divergent policies are having on the attractiveness of Scotland as a place to invest in, these budget implications do nothing to mitigate that nor to ensure the housing needs of Scotland’s people are met.”

14 December 2023
London Road student accommodation at Jock’s Lodge
Design: Stallan-Brand

property image courtesy of Stallan-Brand architects practice
London Road Edinburgh student accommodation
Alumno Group has been granted planning permission for the construction of high-quality purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) on London Road in Edinburgh in the Jock’s Lodge area of the city following a successful appeal. The development will help meet increasing demand from a growing student population and take pressure off local housing, while rejuvenating the area economically.

13 December 2023
RIBA statement on COP28 outcomes

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“Today’s historic agreement to deliver a new era of climate action is monumental. It’s the first time that a COP outcome has acknowledged the need to move away from fossil fuels – and this is a truly welcome and positive shift.”

Read more on the e-architect.com website.

13 December 2023
Heat Transition in Scotland
SNIPEF responds to the Scottish Government’s publication of ‘Starting a National Conversation on the Heat Transition in Scotland’. Industry expertise vital in shaping Scotland’s heat transition policy, says SNIPEF Chief Executive – take a look at the Glasgow Building News 2023 for the details.

12 December 2023
Scotland’s Housing Crisis Intensifying
New statistics show Scotland’s housing crisis intensifying with decreases across both the number of new homes of all tenures being started and completed – see the Glasgow Building News page for the details.

7 December 2023
MSIP Building News
Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) is an ambitious joint venture between Scottish Enterprise, Dundee City Council and Michelin, created in response to the closure of Michelin’s Dundee tyre factory in 2020. It aims to drive innovation in the Scottish economy and address the global climate emergency:
Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc Dundee

4 December 2023
Edinburgh College of Art Buildings Refurbishment

image © Hawkins Brown
Edinburgh College of Art Refurbishment

4 December 2023
New Head Of Planning At Homes For Scotland

Home building sector representative body Homes for Scotland (HFS) has announced the appointment of Kevin Murphy as its new Head of Planning.

With a career spanning more than twenty years, Kevin joins from Persimmon Homes where he was Planning Manager, leading on planning applications, undertaking pre-application discussions and consultations, and making representations on matters of local and national planning policy.

His experience at the coalface of planning for residential development will be welcomed by HFS members who are facing considerable challenges following the transition to the new National Planning Framework 4. A key priority for Kevin will be promoting research which has been commissioned by HFS to help better quantify the level of housing need that exists across the country beyond current narrow measures.

Kevin said:

“The planning system is fundamental to Scotland’s social wellbeing and economic success, ensuring the country has the range and choice of homes that all those who live here require. This must, of course, be balanced with the climate emergency and environment, and I am looking forward to working both with members and other stakeholders to achieve this.”

HFS Chief Executive Jane Wood said:

“I am delighted to welcome Kevin to our team. His background and acute understanding of the issues our members are dealing with on a daily basis enables him to talk with real insight and authenticity – essential skills as we seek to increase understanding of the pressures facing home builders and make the case for better resourcing for our colleagues working in local authorities.”

4 December 2023
Homes For Scotland Submits Ideas On Planning System Ambitions

Responds to call from the new Planning Improvement Champion

Homes for Scotland (HFS), the sector body representing the country’s home builders, has responded to the call for ideas on planning system ambitions requested by the new Planning Improvement Champion Craig McLaren.

With the planning system having a major impact on the delivery of much needed new homes of all tenures but under considerable strain as a result of resourcing issues and the additional burdens placed on it by National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), HFS has welcomed the opportunity to address the questions posed which are:

– What are the outcomes we need the planning system to deliver to have an impact?
– What makes a high-performing planning authority?
– How can we measure this?

See Glasgow Building News 2023 for the full news item.

22 November 2023

Lost opportunity says home building body as Scottish Parliament votes down housing emergency call

Scotland’s people deserve better

With today’s Labour’s motion that Scotland is experiencing a housing emergency defeated by a Scottish Government amendment which instead “recognises significant pressures with homelessness and temporary accommodation”, Homes for Scotland Chief Executive Jane Wood said:

“In the context of our capital city having recently followed Argyll & Bute in declaring a housing emergency and a shortfall of +114,000 new homes having accumulated across Scotland since 2008, it has never been more important to consider how we meet the country’s housing needs.

“We must stop going round in circles and find transformational solutions. Today’s debate underscored the importance of this and there were many passionate points made, but the agreed amendment is, to say the least, underwhelming. Given the scale of the problem facing our rural and urban communities, it’s a missed opportunity. Scotland’s people deserve better.”

More contemporary Edinburgh Building News 2024 online soon

Edinburgh Building News 2023

Edinburgh Building News 2022

Edinburgh Architecture News 2021 – selection below:

More Edinburgh Building News 2023 online soon

Location: Edinburgh, Midlothian, southeast Scotland, UK