Cruden Homes has unveiled updated proposals for the delivery of 76 homes for social rent for Eildon Housing Association, on the site of the former Howdenburn Primary School on Howdenburn Drive in Jedburgh.

The school, which was built in 1970, was closed in 2020 and subsequently demolished, with pupilstransferring to Jedburgh Grammar Campus at Hartrigge Park.

If approved, the 2, and 3-bedroom high-quality homes will be constructed for Eildon Housing Association by Cruden Building, which like Cruden Homes is part of the Cruden Group. This leading housing association is based in and operates across the Scottish Borders and already works extensively with Cruden Building.

In addition to the new homes, the 5.57-acre site will also include associated infrastructure such as roads, footpaths, a SUDS (sustainable urban drainage) system and considerable open space.

A consultation event will take place on Wednesday 22 February between 4pm and 8pm at Jedburgh Town Hall, with the public given the chance to view proposals, ask questions and provide feedback.

Proposals can also be viewed on the project website at www.cruden-howdenburn.com, with display boards uploaded on the morning of 22nd February.

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This second consultation event follows an initial one held on Wednesday 18th January.

The site is within the Jedburgh Development Boundary and is identified as a 'Regeneration Site' (Reference RJEDB003) within the Main Issues Report, which is the forerunner to the Scottish Borders Local Development Plan 2. This will replace the Scottish Borders Local Development Plan 2016.

Cruden has worked with Eildon on the delivery of many new homes in the Borders, including in Newtown St Boswells, Galashiels and Earlston. This was undertaken as part of a Partnership Agreement between the housing association and Cruden Building (then Hart Builders), signed in 2017, to deliver at least 342 high quality new homes for social rent, across eight sites in the Borders.

A key element of the Partnership is to work with local communities to create a legacy that goes beyond the provision of new homes. Eildon and Cruden Building, for example, are working together to explore training, employment and other community benefits that can be factored into the programme at Earlston.

Rory Stephens from Cruden Homes said: "We are delighted to be bringing forward our updated proposals for these much-needed affordable homes for Eildon Housing Association for public consultation.

"Our first consultation event was extremely well-attended, and we have looked to incorporate the feedback provided into our revised proposals where possible. The local community will again have the chance again to ask questions and provide feedback at this event, which will continue to play a major role in shaping our scheme as we progress it.

"We would encourage those interested to attend, noting that our proposals will also be on our website, giving those unable to come along the opportunity to view and comment on them."

Nile Istephan, Eildon Chief Executive, commented: "The addition of more social rented homes in the Borders is part of our £137m investment into the local economy. Part of our strategy is to build up to 800 new homes across the area and address the ongoing need for high quality affordable housing."