Ark is delighted to announce, that work is set to begin on a new affordable housing development in Livingston. The site is located in the Dedridge area of the town and will provide 20 much needed affordable homes for social rent.

This is an important milestone for Ark as we do not have a long track record of building new homes. Our current business plan, which was launched in September 2020, established the foundation to support the launch of our 5 year new build development programme.

One of our key strategic objectives is to have a reputation for excellence and be recognised as a high quality provider of housing and care. We intend to achieve this through building new, flexible and energy efficient homes that make a positive difference to our customers who live in them, the communities they are part of and that they contribute to the Scottish Governments Affordable Housing Supply Programme.

The development at Crusader Rise, is due to start on site in June 2022, and we are targeting the new homes being complete and ready for occupation in the summer of 2023.

In response to local housing need, Crusader Rise will deliver a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom homes including 6 ground floor apartments which have been designed to wheelchair standard, and incorporate a range of innovative design, specification and digital features to promote and support people with complex needs to live independently.

Through a combination of enhanced thermal performance and technologies, the new homes will attain zero direct emissions heating to achieve Scottish Government’s Affordable Warmth and Zero Emission targets, set out in their Housing to 2040 and Heat in Buildings Strategies. The development will also incorporate a fully installed and operational electric car charging station with two points.

A significant total investment of £4,187,410 has been approved by Ark’s Board of Management, to enable the delivery of this exciting project for Ark and the local community.  The new build development is being funded by Ark and the Scottish Government, with Ark committing £2,087,410 and a grant award of £2,100,000 from the Scottish Government.

Following an open and competitive tender process through Public Contract Scotland, JR Construction (Scotland) Ltd have been awarded the building contract.