A SCOTTISH Government minister has praised Wheatley Group for increasing the range of housing available to rent across the country.
Patrick Harvie MSP, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, was highly impressed during his visit to two Lowther mid-market rent developments in Glasgow this week.
Lowther, which is part of Wheatley Group – a Scottish housing, care and property management group – lets and manages around 2,640 mid-market and full-market homes across central and southern Scotland.
Mid-market rent (MMR) homes offer alternative affordable housing for people on a modest income who have difficulty in qualifying for social housing, buying their own home or renting privately on the open market.
The Wheatley Group focuses on quality and affordability when constructing their Lowther Homes.
Mr Harvie visited Lowther’s award-winning Bell Street development, a former B-listed Victorian stable block in the Merchant City refurbished in 2019.
He also visited a site in nearby Calton Village, which will see 123 MMR homes built by early next year for the first phase of its development.
Delivered in three phases, Calton Village will see the regeneration of a five-acre site next to the Gallowgate, at Melbourne Street, Armour Street and Sydney Street.
In Calton Village, more than 250 affordable homes for rent are taking shape on formerly vacant land in the east end of Glasgow.
The homes, developed in partnership between Wheatley Group and Glasgow City Council, are being built by contractor McTaggart Construction.
Harvie was joined by Wheatley Group Chief Executive Steven Henderson, Lowther Managing Director James Ward, Lowther Chair Eric Gibson, and Wheatley Group’s Director of Development and Regeneration Lindsay Lauder.
Mr Harvie said: “The right to a warm, safe and affordable home is critical to wellbeing and is a right everyone deserves.
“Wheatley Group plays a valuable role in increasing the range of housing available to rent throughout Scotland.
“Scottish Government investment of £2.13m was made available to support the completion of the Bell Street development.
“More than £32m of Scottish Government funding has been committed to date to enable Lowther to provide over 250 homes for affordable housing at Calton Village.
“I am impressed by the quality of these developments by Lowther.
“High-quality housing is a key pillar of our long-term housing strategy Housing to 2040, along with eradicating fuel poverty and homelessness and ensuring everyone has access to green space and essential services.”
Lowther tenant Beth Galloway, 27, a civil servant who moved into Bell Street with partner Sean in 2020, said: “Mid-market rent is a good option if people don’t have enough for a mortgage.
“We both worked in Glasgow so living here suited us. The rent is really good for living in this part of the city, much cheaper than a private rented flat. We’re both very happy here.”
Eric Gibson, Chair of Lowther, said: “Our mid-market rent homes are a really good option for people who may not qualify for social housing but can’t afford to get on the property ladder.
“Lowther is one of the biggest providers of mid-market homes in central Scotland and we were delighted to show the Minister around some of our homes.
“Bell Street is a multi-award-winning development, and our new-build homes at Calton Village will help increase the supply of affordable housing and breathe new life into that part of the east end.”
