Sod cutting ceremony marks official start for 200 new homes in Perth

Regeneration development expert Urban Union, in partnership with Caledonia Housing Association and Fairfield Housing Co-operative, marked the beginning of its new development yesterday (Wednesday 15 February) with the help of Councillor Dave Doogan.

Councillor Doogan, Housing and Health Convener for Perth and Kinross Council, broke the soil with a gold spade at the event to mark the official start of the final phase of the Muirton site.

An audience of local councillors and representatives from the surrounding schools attended to support the occasion.

The site, which is next to the original St Johnstone F.C. home ground at Muirton, will welcome 203 new houses, comprising include 102 affordable homes and 101 for private sale.

Neil McKay, Managing Director of Urban Union, said:

“Our vision for this development is one which will incorporate the character and strengths of the local area and help create a place of community in which residents will feel a sense of pride.”

Julie Cosgrove, Chief Executive of Caledonia Housing Association, said:

“We are delighted to commemorate the official start of the final stage of the Muirton redevelopment today. It is fantastic to see work underway, and we would like to thank the community of Muirton and our partners, City of Perth Council, Fairfield and Urban Union, for their invaluable contributions and support in driving this project forward.”

Grant Ager, Chief Executive of Fairfield Housing Co-operative, said:

“Fairfield is proud to see this milestone being reached; having been involved in the project for over a decade, it’s rewarding to see the fruition of the master plan created by the Muirton Community all those years ago.

“The area has changed completely and is now a highly desirable place to stay. The partnership approach adopted by Fairfield, Caledonia, Perth and Kinross Council, and the Scottish Government has been highly effective, and we have great confidence in Urban Union in not only completing Muirton Park but giving the added value that large-scale construction affords in employment and training.”

Perth and Kinross Council’s Convener of Housing and Health, Councillor Dave Doogan, said:

“I’m delighted to see the final phase of the regeneration underway. It will provide much needed affordable social housing and transform the lives of the residents who will enjoy these new homes.”

The multi-million pound project was granted planning approval by Perth and Kinross Council in July 2016, with Urban Union appointed by Caledonia Housing Association to deliver the new homes.

The development will offer a wide range of accommodation types with one, two, three and four-bedroom properties available. Each property comes with either private or shared gardens alongside attractive outdoor space and car parking facilities.

The new community will form an important part of the regeneration of the site at Muirton and follows extensive community engagement in the development of the master plans.

The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018.

Pictured: The Muirton sod cutting.