As West Lothian faces a housing emergency, the development is part of a coordinated effort between Lovell, Wheatley and West Lothian Council, supported by Scottish Government funding, to increase affordable housing provision and support local communities.

The house types at Winchburgh will include 2- and 3-bedroom terrace homes, along with a range of 2-bedroom flats. The 69 homes for social rent will sit alongside 107 homes for private sale by Lovell Homes within the wider £1bn Winchburgh masterplan, which is delivering new schools, green spaces, improved transport links and new community amenities.

Each home will achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of B, which is above industry average and meet Silver Aspects 1, the Scottish benchmark for sustainable building, which sets higher targets for reducing carbon emissions and lowering energy demands for heating. Thanks to high-specification wall insulation, air source heat pumps, and water-efficient fixtures that reduce usage by around 30%. Homes will also include electric vehicle charging points and sprinkler systems.

Lovell is building specialist affordable house types at Winchburgh, designed to meet Housing for Varying Needs standards and tailored to Wheatley’s requirements. The homes are being constructed using cranes for two- and three-storey units, allowing them to reach wind and watertight stage in just one week, which helps accelerate delivery while maintaining consistent build quality.

Lovell designed a bespoke ‘colony-style’ house type specifically for Winchburgh. Although the frontage has a three-storey appearance, the team chose not to build flats and instead created a unique arrangement that met local needs: with a bungalow on the ground level and two-storey homes above, each featuring its own front door and private garden.

Construction will support local employment and training opportunities throughout the build programme. Lovell is committed to building communities and delivering social value at all its developments. At Winchburgh Lovell recently worked with its supply chain partners to donate more than £10,000 worth of tools and equipment to Winchburgh Community Growing Group and Builders Den.

This support will enable volunteers to continue projects that benefit residents across Winchburgh. Additionally, a £500 donation raised by Lovell construction and office staff is helping Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) to deliver therapeutic horticulture sessions in the area.

Tony Rankin, regional managing director at Lovell Partnerships, said: “Starting to build our affordable housetypes on site at Winchburgh marks another important step in our long-standing partnership with Wheatley. We first began working with Wheatley more than 20 years ago and we share the belief that good homes and strong communities go hand in hand. These new homes will give families security, stability and a place to thrive. Winchburgh is one of Scotland’s most ambitious regeneration projects and we’re proud to be playing a part in bringing more high-quality, affordable homes to the area.”

Laura Henderson, managing director of Wheatley Homes East, commented: “These much-needed new homes in Winchburgh will make a real difference to families who need safe, warm and affordable housing and will help ease pressure on waiting lists across the region. We are pleased to be working again with Lovell who are committed to building communities as well as homes.”