The developments at Wallyford in East Lothian and Burdiehouse in Edinburgh are being built simultaneously and are well underway to deliver a total of 109 affordable, council-owned homes.

These developments represent the first construction projects to be facilitated through the South East Regional Delivery Alliance (SE-RDA) which is partnered by the Scottish Futures Trust, and when complete next summer have the potential to provide quality housing for over 370 people.

The two sites are generating efficiencies through consecutive site assessments and the use of standardised house and flat typologies, and when operational will be net zero ready thanks to air source and exhaust air heat pumps and increased levels of insulation.

This SE-RDA approach has enabled the developments at Wallyford and Burdiehouse to use very similar designs and construction methods, helping to streamline the design and delivery process while maintaining high-quality, sustainable homes tailored to their respective locations.

Both sites are being built by CCG, using its enhanced closed panel ‘iQ’ Timber System at its advanced manufacturing premises in Glasgow.

The dual projects demonstrate how greater collaboration between local authorities, designers and contractors can create a more efficient pipeline of affordable housing by reducing duplication and allowing successful designs and approaches to be applied across multiple sites.

Speaking on Scottish Housing Day, Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Joint Committee convener, and the City of Edinburgh Council leader, Jane Meagher, said: “Burdiehouse is one of several new developments under construction across the city which, once complete, will provide high quality and efficient affordable homes to hundreds of people.

“This innovative, collaborative approach across the two sites, including standardised designs and streamlined processes, has led to more efficient project delivery.

“By working together with South East Regional Delivery Alliance partners we can strengthen our response to the housing emergency and accelerate the delivery of the affordable homes that we so urgently need.”

East Lothian cabinet spokesperson for Housing & Property Maintenance, Councillor Andy Forrest, said: “This innovative method of redeveloping the site of the old Wallyford Primary School is a great example of partnership working. East Lothian is particularly affected by the national shortage of affordable and social housing as we are one of the fastest growing local authorities so projects like this one that provide quality homes for those who most need them are to be welcomed.”

CCG managing director David Wylie said: “It is extremely positive to see these two projects progressing through construction and contributing to the delivery of much-needed affordable homes across Edinburgh and East Lothian.

“Wallyford and Burdiehouse were both directly awarded to CCG, a procurement route that enables us to engage at an early stage and work collaboratively with our clients and design teams to generate time and cost efficiencies before construction begins.

“Once on site, design standardisation and our approach to modern methods of construction deliver further efficiencies, with homes being built faster, more cost effectively, and to a consistently high quality standard.

“This delivery model ultimately helps us to collectively address the immediate and long-term wellbeing of our communities, and presents an exciting opportunity for partners across the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal to work collaboratively to support its communities at a time of significant housing need.”

Paul Dodd, senior associate director at the Scottish Futures Trust, said: “It is fantastic to see both Wallyford and Burdiehouse now progressing well on site. These developments demonstrate the benefits of taking a collaborative and long-term approach to housing delivery.

“By bringing sites together, using shared expertise and developing repeatable house and flat designs, the partners have been able to reduce duplication and create a more efficient route from feasibility through to construction.

“The use of modern methods of construction is also helping to accelerate delivery, while ensuring that the homes being built are high-quality, sustainable and designed to create happy and healthy homes for local communities.”

The projects will also provide valuable learning for partners across the South East region as SE-RDA continues to explore how collaborative procurement, repeatable designs and modern construction methods can help address housing need and support the delivery of much needed affordable homes.