First tenants move into social landlord Osprey Housing’s new build homes at Kinneddar Meadows, Lossiemouth
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
SIX tenants have been given the keys to their new build homes this week.
Social landlord Osprey Housing has handed over the keys to the six homes, which make up the first phase of their new build project at Kinneddar Meadows on the edge of Lossiemouth.
The three-bedroom semi-detached houses will be followed by a further seventy properties being built for Osprey across Moray.
The homes, which will be built by Moray-based builder Tulloch of Cummingston, form part of a wider development programme - with the specifications of each home matching those of properties being built for sale, with the aim of increasing social integration within a carefully planned community.
Among those moving in this week was midwife Diane Laing and her two children Kelvin (11) and April (8).
Born and raised in Lossiemouth, Diane works as a neonatal midwife within the maternity unit at Dr Gray's, Elgin.
Diane said: "I have faced a range of struggles since the start of the Covid pandemic, including a major bereavement and a change in circumstances that meant me and the children had to move in with my parents and sister.
"We were staying in their dining room, and this - coupled with all the personal and professional challenges of the pandemic - really took a toll on my mental health."
Diane applied for the house with Osprey through the These Homes website, which allows applicants to register their interest in specific properties online.
Osprey which currently owns and manages approximately 1,800 properties across the north-east of Scotland is one of 16 Scottish social landlords involved in the These Homes scheme.
Diane said: "I was awarded a silver priority pass based on my personal circumstances, and we are so grateful to have our own home after all our recent difficulties.
"In the current economic climate, and with housing costs rising, I urgently needed help and support and I cannot thank the Osprey team highly enough. They have given us exceptional customer service and shown us enormous compassion throughout the full process - I have really felt I have been listened to."
She added: "My top priority now is to start afresh and build a solid, nurturing environment for my children in this lovely home where we each have our own bedroom at last."
The Laings’ home is part of the first phase of Osprey’s Kinneddar Meadows investment which represents a £2.85 million undertaking with grant support from the Scottish Government of £1.75 million.
The first phase of building for Osprey comprises twenty affordable homes, with a further six properties due for handover before the end of the year. The development will then continue on a rolling programme basis. When complete, Osprey’s Kinneddar Meadows first phase mix will feature a mixture of three, four, five and one bedroom homes.
