Development and regeneration specialist Places for People has chosen Lovell to deliver 93 new homes at West Gait in Edinburgh with a £7.7 million design and build contract.

The mixed-tenure site, in the north of the city, is being developed by Places for People. The new housing will complement a previous development by Castle Rock Edinvar neighbouring the new scheme.

Lovell was awarded the project after bidding competitively as one of Places for People’s framework contractors. Construction work is starting on site this month (July) with the development set to be completed in October 2013.

The new housing – a mix of 93 houses and flats – will feature 48 homes for affordable ownership, 15 homes for social rent and 30 Mid Market Rent homes. The affordable ownership units are a mixture of both shared equity and shared ownership, to provide as many options as possible for people to move in. Mid Market Rent properties enable those in employment who could not otherwise afford main market rents to access good quality new affordable homes.

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The energy-efficient new homes will incorporate high levels of insulation to the external wall fabric and will also include a heat recovery ventilation system. This ventilation system exchanges air extracted from the kitchen and bathrooms for fresh air – achieving good air quality - with heat being recovered in the process.

Alister Steele, managing director of Castle Rock Edinvar, the Scottish Registered Social Landlord within the Places for People Group, said: "This development is bringing much needed new affordable homes for Edinburgh, and we are providing a range of tenures which increases the number of options available for people. We will also maintain a long-term interest managing the development once complete. The properties will be sustainable to keep fuel costs down and high standards will ensure residents have new homes to be proud of."

The scheme will also create new local jobs: Lovell will take on six school or college leavers to work on the project and two apprentices.

(CD)