Barratt East Scotland has commenced construction of a new apartment development for Grampian Housing Association (GHA) in Aberdeen.

A range of 40, two and three bedroom flats will be constructed at the £4.9 million GHA development at Dancing Cairns, near Bucksburn, on the site of a former industrial unit.

This is only the second housing association development of its kind in Scotland to be delivered without the aid of Government funding – the first, Brimmond View, at Dyce, which featured 42 affordable homes – was also successfully completed by GHA and Barratt.

The homes at Dancing Cairns will be sold for shared ownership – a part-rent, part-buy scheme enabling people to buy their home at a price they can afford. It is a popular option to help people get a foot on the property ladder, particularly in Aberdeen, one of the most expensive and pressurised housing markets in Scotland.

For example, buyers can purchase an initial share of 25%, 50% or 75% in a property and pay an occupancy charge for the remaining share. After the first anniversary of the purchase, buyers can increase their share and progress to full ownership in the future.

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Construction work on-site is underway, with the first properties scheduled to be ready for occupation by autumn 2012.

Barratt East Scotland’s Operations Director, David Scott, says he is delighted to be working in partnership with GHA again.

He said: “As the leading housebuilder in the North-east we recognise the need to find alternative methods to deliver this type of accommodation due to the lack of Government funding.

“We have a strong, well-established relationship with Grampian Housing Association, having previously worked together to deliver numerous developments in and around Aberdeen, and we are therefore delighted to have brokered this deal, including acquiring the site on behalf of GHA.

“This bespoke, 40 apartment development will be an attractive and contemporary addition to the Bucksburn area of the City and is further testament to the innovative partnership approach taken by GHA and Barratt.”

Neil Clapperton, Chief Executive of Grampian Housing Association added: “Building on our successful partnership with Barratt, we are delighted to be providing more properties for low cost home ownership, whilst also rising to the challenge presented by the Scottish Government to build more affordable housing with less grant.”

Barratt East Scotland is currently building at a number of developments throughout the North-east, including sites in Aberdeen, Bridge of Don, Inverness, Elgin, Inverurie, Oldmeldrum, Kemnay, Ellon, Newtonhill, Kingswells and Rothienorman, as well as in Perthshire.

GHA is a fast growing housing association based in the North-east of Scotland. Through direct development, regeneration projects and stock transfer, the association now provides services to over 3,000 households. A range of affordable housing for rent and low cost home ownership, suitable for single people, couples, families, the elderly and people with special needs is provided to alleviate housing need.

(GK/KMcA)