Blackwood 66 new homes in Dundee image

A transformation in housing for people who need assistance to help them live more independently in Dundee is a step closer as 66 new homes equipped with smart technology and the potential to be adapted later down the line are set to be built.

Independent living specialist Blackwood has appointed Fife-based developer Campion Homes to build 66 homes in Charleston – the largest building project to date in Scotland.

Campion Homes has been appointed as the lead contractor on the £17.5 million housing project. It will deliver a mix of two-bed flats and four and five-bedroom homes, all packed with smart tech and features to help people to live as independently as possible.

It comes as another Blackwood initiative takes shape in Dundee, as the launch of its Peoplehood project will see £3 million invested into Charleston. This is one of three Scottish communities chosen to develop a model for independent living, helping people to live healthier and happier for longer.

Simon Fitzpatrick, Care Development & Commercial Director for Blackwood, said: “For the people who eventually move into these much-needed homes, it will be totally transformational. For perspective, the number of homes is almost half of Dundee City Council’s total waiting list for adapted accommodation. This is massive for the city.”

Having secured planning permission for the new properties, which will be delivered across seven distinct sites in Charleston, Blackwood went through an exhaustive tendering process to find the ideal delivery partner in Campion Homes.

All of the properties will be based on the award-winning Blackwood House model. The homes come with considered and sensitive design elements, including core living areas that offer barrier free movement.

Each home can also be readily adapted to include a host of other benefits such as lift access, remotely controlled automated functions, and digital care and housing system.

The Blackwood House model was first unveiled at the Dundee’s Glamis Road in 2017 when it launched its flagship development of six of the homes. Since then, a further 24 have been created at Helenvale in the east end of Glasgow, earning extensive praise as the benchmark in independent living with Blackwood now stepping up its programme to build a total of 400 new homes over the next 5-7 years.

It sets a new standard for beautiful, accessible, connected and affordable housing that can adapt to tenants’ future needs. It uses Blackwood’s CleverCogs technology, which is personalised and links users to care and health services, home automation, local information, entertainment, and video access to family and friends.

Work is expected to start in June and to last 18 months.

When construction is completed, it is likely that allocation of the properties will be divided between people identified as priorities by Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, Dundee City Council and Blackwood.

Blackwood’s Peoplehood Project is a £12.5 million, three-year initiative to develop futureproofed neighbourhoods in Charleston, Glasgow and Buckie in Moray. It champions independent living as people grow older, encouraging people to make healthier lifestyle choices and creating safe outdoor spaces and opportunities to sustain physical activities.

The funding will see the three communities benefit from free tablets and Wi-Fi for participants to help them get digitally connected, while also delivering e-bikes, electric cars and a host of equipment and activities within communities, all according to local demand.

Simon continued: “Between the delivery of these 66 new homes and the launch of the Peoplehood project, we are incredibly proud to be investing more than £20m into the Charleston area, not least because the benefits will be felt right across Dundee.”

The Charleston homes will be built on sites in Liff Place, Gourdie Place, Gourdie Crescent, Charleston Rod, Invercraig Road and Buttar’s Road and includes 50 two-bedroom flats, 14 four-bed homes and two five-bed houses.

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