Work to create a pioneering Langholm housing development on the Murtholm Farm site begins this week.
The first phase of housing will see 35 “extra care” bungalows built – which are a first for Dumfries and Galloway – along with a new pedestrian footbridge from the west to the east bank of the River Esk to link the development with the town.
The site was purchased by Loreburn Housing Association in 2019 and contractors, Cubbie Construction Limited, will begin six-months of enabling works which are likely to cause some disruption to the traffic flow on the A7.
They will firstly create an access point from the A7, utility diversions and then form an access road onto the Murtholm site.
Lorraine Usher, chief executive of Loreburn Housing, said: “This will be a fantastic new development for Langholm and the Esk Valley, allowing people to remain living in their community in a well-designed home. The on-site support will give reassurance that help is close by as and when people need it.”
Once complete, construction will begin on the first phase of housing of special bungalows which are described as “high-quality and technology-enabled homes designed for independent living with access to care and support on site.
With exceptional energy efficiency and meeting Passivhaus certification standards, the development will be the first bungalow designed extra care development for the region and are expected to be ready for occupation by the end of next year.
Further phases of affordable housing are programmed for the site once the bungalows and bridge are complete.
“The project has been a huge challenge but with the collaboration from partners, including The Scottish Government, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Transport Scotland, Sustrans, the Health and Social Care Partnership for Dumfries and Galloway, and Buccleuch Estates Limited, we’re finally seeing our shared commitment come to fruition.”
