Cruden, a Scottish housebuilder, has broken ground on a £17.5m ($23.1m) housing project in Gorebridge, Midlothian, as part of a contract with Midlothian Council.  

The project aims to deliver a mix of 75 residential units, including flats, cottage flats, and houses.  

The development will feature ten extra care units, two bariatric units, and a four-bedroom, six-person wheelchair-accessible house, addressing a range of housing needs. 

Located at Newbyres, the development is set to use air source heat pumps (ASHPs) as the primary heat source.  

This technology is expected to reduce carbon emissions, aligning with Scotland's environmental goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the use of renewable energy sources. 

The properties will also have new insulation methods, designed to maintain stable indoor temperatures throughout the year, lowering energy usage and utility bills for future occupants.  

Additionally, plans include landscaped areas, communal gardens, and play spaces, providing residents with areas for outdoor leisure and interaction with nature.  

Cruden managing director Fraser Lynes said: “It's been great to get our boots on the ground in Gorebridge to herald the commencement of this innovative new development. Scotland is facing a well-documented housing emergency, and Newbyres will make an important contribution to alleviating the need for high quality affordable housing in Midlothian. 

“We have been working closely with our partners at Midlothian Council to ensure the design of this development is tailored to meet the diverse needs of the Gorebridge community and the end result will be an impressive development with accessibility, sustainability and community at its core.” 

Earlier in August 2024, Cruden Group was named the preferred bidder by the City of Edinburgh Council for the initial phase of a new $1.58bn coastal town at Granton Waterfront in Edinburgh, UK.