Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) has officially opened its landmark Howdenburn development in Jedburgh, with retiring Chief Executive Julia Mulloy cutting the ribbon at a ceremony on 27 May. The event was attended by SBHA Board members, the Scottish Borders Tenants Organisation, representatives of the Scottish Government, local councillors, project partners and residents.

Built on the former Howdenburn Primary School site, the project delivers 70 affordable homes for social rent — including wheelchair-accessible properties — with a mix of one to four-bedroom homes to address local need. Created in partnership with Cruden, designed by Aitken Turnbull Architects, and supported by funding from the Scottish Government and the Royal Bank of Scotland, the new neighbourhood features generous green space and energy‑efficient homes.

Julia Mulloy, retiring Chief Executive of SBHA, said: "It's a real privilege to open Howdenburn alongside colleagues, partners and the local community. At a time of housing emergency, projects like this really matter. We had 1,118 bids for just 70 homes, which shows the scale of demand for affordable housing across the Borders.

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"Howdenburn is a significant investment in Jedburgh – delivering modern, energy‑efficient homes that people can afford and creating a place for people to build their lives in. I'd also like to recognise Cruden as our delivery partner and Aitken Turnbull as architects for the scheme – bringing real focus to the quality of design, the setting and the kind of place this creates for people to live in.

"As I prepare to retire after more than 40 years working in social housing, it's especially meaningful to see a development like this come to life. It reflects how far SBHA has come and our long-term commitment to investing in homes and improving people's lives across the Borders."

Fraser Lynes, Chief Executive Officer of Cruden, added: "We're proud to have partnered with SBHA to deliver Howdenburn, the Association's largest development to date. Through our land-led delivery model, Cruden has facilitated the redevelopment of this former school site by successfully identifying the opportunity and securing planning consent to bring forward these 70 high-quality affordable homes. The development will make a real difference for local people and families in Jedburgh, offering energy-efficient living, accessible design and green open space. It is especially rewarding to see the site transformed into a fantastic new neighbourhood that people will be proud to call home."

The opening also acknowledged the contributions of those involved and thanked nearby residents for their patience during construction. Most importantly, it signalled a fresh start for households moving into Howdenburn, helping to establish a strong new community in Jedburgh for the long term.