Plans for nearly 300 homes on the edge of Dumfries have cleared a major hurdle after Dumfries and Galloway Council approved proposals for Catherinefield Farm on Wednesday, 25 February, paving the way for Wheatley Homes South's biggest scheme in the area.

The development will deliver 296 homes in total, comprising 266 affordable properties for Wheatley and 30 for private sale to be built by developer CCG. A dedicated Livingwell block will include 41 flats for people aged 55 and over. Livingwell is a Wheatley service which helps older residents live independently for longer by providing personalised support, regular staff presence and a programme of social and wellbeing activities.

The project forms part of a wider new-build programme by Dumfries and Galloway's largest social landlord to deliver hundreds of energy‑efficient homes from 2028, supported by the Scottish Government's Affordable Housing Supply Programme and delivered in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council.

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Work at Catherinefield Farm is expected to begin in spring 2027, with the first families moving in from autumn 2028 and the full site due to complete by late 2031. Nearby, Wheatley finished 89 homes in 2024 at the former Curries Yard depot in Heathhall.

Alex Lamb, Managing Director of Wheatley Homes South, said: "This is a major step forward in our plans to bring more high-quality, energy-efficient homes to Dumfries.

"The views of the local community will be central to any new homes being delivered and will help shape the proposals. We were pleased so many people attended our public meetings and shared their views on the type of housing needed locally.

"These new homes form part of Wheatley's commitment to delivering hundreds of new homes across the region to help meet the housing need, not just here in Dumfries and Galloway and across the country.

"With support from Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Scottish Government, we will start work on delivering these new homes in 2027."

In 2023, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Wheatley agreed a strategic partnership to increase affordable housing and enhance services for communities. The agreement recognises the organisations' roles in housing, regeneration, care and support for vulnerable people, as well as driving carbon reduction and tackling homelessness.

Wheatley's investment in Dumfries and Galloway has added more than £40 million to the local economy since 2019. The organisation, which owns and manages over 93,700 homes, was named in 2024 as the UK's biggest builder of social housing over the past decade and delivered more social rent homes than any other UK provider in 2024/25.