Solar panels & electric vehicle charges: New sustainable Scottish homes launched

Fife Housing Group have welcomed their new sustainable development in Kirkcaldy as residents have begun settling in.

The new scheme, which was developed in partnership with the JR Group, is comprised of 49 two, three and four-bedroomed houses which are all claimed to be energy efficient.

Each home incorporates photovoltaic solar panels and enhanced wall, floor and roof insulation. Several homes are also being used to trial new, more environmentally friendly, electric battery storage technology.

As well as the interior of homes being fitted with greener upgrades, developers have also installed bird and bat boxes on some of the properties and an existing wildflower meadow has been retained with new footpaths created to enhance the natural environment.

Speaking at the launch event, Fife Housing Group’s chief executive, Nicki Donaldson, said: ‘We are delighted to have worked with The JR Group to deliver these impressive new affordable homes in this spacious new development.

‘As an organisation, we are committed to building sustainable communities for the benefit of current and future tenants, so it’s been wonderful to see this project come to life and to meet some of the new residents.

‘The green credentials included in this build continue to show our commitment to delivering against the climate agenda and the environmental impacts associated with this, and we are confident tenants will love their new homes and enjoy being part of the wider community forged here.’

In addition, the development also includes a number of wheelchair-accessible bungalows which offer a selection of adaptations and will have a positive impact for tenants such as David Jackson, who struggles with the stairs in his current home.

David, who attended the official launch of the new homes last week, said: ‘It’s going to be great not having to worry about getting up and down stairs anymore. This is a new start for me and having a home like this is really going to make a huge difference to my life.’

Image: George Iordanov-Nalbantov