Chirnside development reflects local demand for affordable housing

Berwickshire Housing Association’s vision of creating thriving rural communities is there for all to see following the completion of its new affordable and energy efficient housing development in Chirnside.

Reflecting local demand, this 25-unit development at Glebe Place is a mix of housing types and flats suitable for individuals and families on what was previously a green field site on the southern edge of the village.

BHA has worked in partnership with Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and the Scottish Government, with BHA and the Scottish Government providing the funding to develop these much needed, new affordable homes.

As with all of BHA’s new-build homes, they are of a very high standard when it comes to energy efficiency.

This new development, built by Hart Builders, is part of a larger 1.4-hectare zone identified in SBC’s local development plan as a proposed housing site. The architect was Smith Scott Mullan Associates.

BHA owns the site, which has been divided into two development areas. The larger part of the development has a series of semi-detached two, three and four-bedroom homes facing north and south, all looking onto the main street and each having private front and rear gardens and parking spaces between them.

Within a courtyard space on the larger development, there are one and two-bed cottage flats plus a three-bedroom wheelchair accessible home at ground-floor level with its own dedicated parking space. Each flat has its own front door.

In the smaller development area, there are two semi-detached three-bedroom family homes to the south side of Erskine Place.

In total, there are 42 car parking spaces within the development.

During the construction phase Hart Builders recruited all of its joiners and labourers locally, and several Borders firms have been sub-contracted. These include Lindenlea Landscaping, Hawick; A.S. Crawford Groundworks, Hawick; painters W.R. Patterson, Kelso; bricklayers M. Hume, Hawick; fencing by Wayne Mitchell, Melrose; and road tarring by Scottish Borders Council.

Angela Taylor, BHA’s Property Director, said: “BHA is delighted with the high quality of these homes and standard of this new development. These 25 homes provide a range of house types which people can afford to rent, are energy efficient and warm, and are much needed in the area.”

Andy Mallice, Managing Director of Hart Builders, said: “Hart Builders is delighted to have completed a further development for Berwickshire Housing Association at the Glebe in Chirnside.

“Built adjacent to a well-established community, the 25 new homes are highly energy efficient and were designed to take advantage of the panoramic views beyond the site.

“During the construction, Hart was particularly pleased to offer a local school pupil, and neighbour to the development, a placement on site to gain work experience and an overview of the career opportunities available to her in construction.”