Melville Housing Group, through its Ironmills subsidiary, has teamed up with McTaggart Construction to deliver a new development on the former Newbattle High School site in Easthouses, Midlothian. This transformative project will create 28 quality, affordable and sustainable homes, addressing critical housing needs in the local community.

The development of mid-market rent homes represents Melville Housing’s commitment to regenerating underutilised sites and creating vibrant, sustainable communities. Working with McTaggart Construction for the first time, Melville is keen to establish what they hope will be a long-term partnership built on shared values of quality, sustainability, and community impact.

“We’re delighted to be working with McTaggart Construction on this exciting project at the former Newbattle High School site,” said Melville’s Development Manager Neil Edgar. “There’s a clear demand for all types of quality affordable housing in the local area and these mid-market homes, the first that Ironmills will have delivered in well over a decade, will help meet that need. We’re very excited for work to begin.”

Janice Russell, Managing Director of McTaggart Construction, commented: "We are delighted to have been selected for this important regeneration project. The former Newbattle High School site represents a significant opportunity to provide quality affordable housing in an area that will benefit greatly from this investment. Our partnership with Melville Housing will ensure these homes meet the highest standards of sustainability and accessibility."

The former Newbattle High School site development represents the final phase of significant recent investments in affordable housing and education infrastructure in the local area. Melville Housing 's vision for the site will transform a vacant space into much-needed homes that serve the diverse needs of local residents.

The development will feature a carefully planned mix of housing types including terrace houses, cottage flats and a flatted block, all designed to achieve high levels of sustainability and accessibility. The project aligns with both Melville Housing and McTaggart Construction’s commitments to creating homes that not only meet immediate housing needs but contribute to thriving, connected communities.

Melville Housing has assembled a comprehensive professional team to deliver this project, including Hardies Property and Construction Consultants as Employer's Agent and Principal Designer, Smith Scott Mullan as Architects, Bayne Stevenson as Civil and

Structural Engineer, Wardle Armstrong as Landscape Architect, Carbon Futures as Energy Consultant, and Hawthorne Boyle as M+E Consultant.

The development will provide safe, affordable, well-built and attractive housing, creating a positive impact on the local community. The design incorporates a well-considered streetscape with secure pedestrian connections, appropriate levels of car parking, and high-quality landscaping that enhances the local environment.

McTaggart Construction, one of Scotland's leading affordable housing contractors, was selected through a competitive tender process for its expertise in delivering complex regeneration projects. The company brings extensive experience in affordable housing, having built over 750 new homes annually, with 90% dedicated to the affordable housing sector.

Melville Housing is committed to ensuring the project delivers structured employment and training opportunities throughout the construction phase. Working with McTaggart Construction, the development will implement targeted recruitment strategies, collaborate with local employability partners, and work with supply chain partners to maximise local workforce development and skills training outcomes.

Beyond the construction phase, both organisations will actively contribute to the broader Newbattle community through strategic partnership initiatives, dedicated volunteering programmes, and in-kind support services. This comprehensive community engagement approach demonstrates Melville Housing's commitment to creating lasting positive impact in the local area.