New Affordable Homes in Elgin Completed by Grampian and Barratt

Tenants of Grampian Housing Association are overjoyed to receive the keys to their new energy-efficient homes in the serene Findrassie area of Elgin. These homes mark the latest collaboration between Grampian Housing Association, Moray Council, and Barratt & David Wilson Homes North Scotland.

Gemma Russell, one of the delighted new tenants, shared her experience, stating, “It has been fantastic so far and has made a huge difference to my children. The additional space has strengthened relationships within the family. I had been waiting for more suitable accommodation for over two years due to overcrowding in my previous home. The area is peaceful, with close proximity to shops and easy access to the town centre. This move has positively impacted all our lives.”

Craig Stirrat, the chief executive of the Grampian Housing Group, expressed his satisfaction with the handover of the new homes in this phase. He stated, “Our goal is not just to construct excellent homes but also to ensure that our current and future tenants enjoy desirable, high-quality living spaces where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive and grow. We are thrilled to have collaborated with Barratt to deliver these impressive new affordable homes in the tenure-neutral community of Findrassie. This initiative reflects Grampian’s ongoing commitment to the Moray communities, with a significant portion of our social rented properties located throughout the area.”

This phase consists of 25 properties designed to meet the diverse needs of Elgin’s growing population. It includes one detached house, 13 terraced houses, and 11 wheelchair-accessible bungalows, offering a mix of two, three, four, and five-bedroom properties. The total scheme cost of £4.5 million received £2.39m in grants from the Scottish Government, with the Association funding the remaining balance. The next phase, currently in progress, comprises 16 one-bedroom apartments scheduled for completion in Autumn 2024.

Scott Pettitt, the technical director of Barratt & David Wilson Homes North Scotland, commented, “It is gratifying to see this next phase of Barratt’s affordable homes reach completion and be handed over to Grampian Housing Association. These new homes exhibit high quality and a strong sustainable focus, reflecting how we live today and in the future. The sustainable design, construction, and placemaking integrated into the development are crucial to realising the Findrassie masterplan vision. We are immensely proud of what we have achieved for our client, Grampian Housing Association, and the Elgin community.”

Notably, Martin Rait, site manager at Barratt & David Wilson Homes, received the NHBC Pride in the Job “Quality Award” for his exceptional work on this development.

Findrassie, located north of Elgin, is a budding community surrounded by outstanding facilities and a high-quality environment. The Findrassie landscape-led masterplan underwent a design forum review facilitated by Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS). It mirrors the traditional built form and open spaces of Elgin, earning praise as ‘well-considered’ by A&DS, with the partnership between Moray Council and Pitgaveny Estates, the landowner, cited as ‘national best practice’.

Fiona Geddes, housing strategy and development manager at Moray Council, remarked, “Grampian Housing Association and Barratt & David Wilson Homes are invaluable partners in delivering new affordable housing to meet local needs. The completion of this phase of the development is welcomed as it increases the supply of ground-floor accommodation suitable for older people and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, larger family homes have been included to alleviate overcrowding and homelessness. We wish the new households moving in happiness in their new homes and hope they become integral parts of the vibrant new community.”