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Urban Union: Finalists in Three Scottish Home Awards Categories

Urban Union is delighted to announce that two of their Glasgow developments are finalists in three categories of the 2023 Scottish Home Awards. Laurieston Living for the Community Contribution Award and for Large Affordable Housing Development of the Year; Pollokshaws Living for Starter Home of the Year.

Currently holder of the coveted Scottish Property Awards 2023 Regeneration Project of the Year award, being shortlisted for the Community Contribution category once again highlights the community based ethos of Urban Union.   Embedded in our business is the aim to form part of the local community and delivering not only new homes but making a difference with our Community Benefits projects.

Kirsty Parry, Sales and Marketing Director commented, ‘It is with great pride that our flagship Laurieston Living development is shortlisted for the Community Contribution Award. Our unique provision of a free to use community space at Laurieston, gives everyone in the local community a place to share, host local events and meetings and we are delighted to support it along with all the community based projects we run across our developments”

The second nomination for Laurieston Living comes in the Large Affordable Housing Development of The Year Category.  This award winning development and highly successful regeneration project of the Gorbals area sees the latest release deliver 191 new homes and apartments due to complete in Summer 2026 and forms part of the wider Laurieston Transformational Regeneration Area, a £140 million revitalisation as part of the Transforming Communities Glasgow – a programme that aims to regenerate eight key neighbourhoods across the city. As with all Urban Union homes, phase three at Laurieston will provide all the comforts and efficiencies you would expect of a new build home.

In the third category, our Pollokshaws Living development is shortlisted for Starter Home of the Year.  Pollokshaws in the Southside of Glasgow is benefitting from a £25m revitalisation spend which will see two phases developed over five years.  Set to complete in 2023, Pollokshaws Living is also part of the wider Transforming Communities: Glasgow programme, which aims to provide sustainable mixed-tenure communities by providing new housing, community facilities, green space and, where appropriate, commercial units. The project forms one of eight districts in the city to be designated a transformational regeneration area by Glasgow City Council.

Pollokshaws Living is aimed at first-time buyers and growing families. Previously home to high- and low-rise blocks, the development on the 5.47-acre site on Shawbridge Street provides a mix of 137 high-quality two, three, four and five-bedroom terraced homes and one and two-bedroom apartments. Residents moved into the first homes in 2021.

Kirsty Parry, added: “At Urban Union, it’s a collective contribution.  Whether it’s the apprentices learning a trade on site, or our head office and customer support teams, everyone contributes to our success and it’s down to the efforts of each one of them that we see us shortlisted for these three prestigious The Scottish Home Awards. A huge congratulations to the whole team, we wouldn’t be here without you all!”

Urban Union strengthen market position with two new board appointments

Regeneration Specialist Urban Union has made two new board appointments, Jamie McLean joins as Operations Director and Craig Whyte as Commercial Director. Each will assist the existing board in the delivery of current developments, and in securing future opportunities for the award-winning regeneration and placemaking business, across the central belt of Scotland.

Both Jamie and Craig will assist Urban Union in providing a mix of high quality affordable/social housing and private homes for sale with a key focus on community creation.

Jamie joins Urban Union from Mactaggart & Mickel Homes Ltd, where for the past three years, he held the role of Group Head of Construction responsible for construction delivery for Homes Scotland, Timber Systems and Homes England.  Jamie’s attention to quality has seen his projects achieve NHBC awards at all levels including the Pride in the Job Supreme Awards.

Craig joins Urban Union from JR Group where he was Commercial Director, having previously worked as a Managing Surveyor for Kier Construction. Craig will be the overall commercial lead for Urban Union, with specific emphasis on Commercial Management, Project Controls and Risk Evaluation and Management.

Neil McKay, Urban Union Managing Director, comments: “As a business, Urban Union continues to go from strength to strength. 2023 promises to be a busy year for us with the recent planning approval for Phase 4 of our Pennywell Living development in Edinburgh; the commencement of construction at Hamiltonhill Living in Glasgow’s Northside; a project for the City of Edinburgh Council at Greendykes, and of course, work on the recent award winning Regeneration Project Of The Year at our flagship Laurieston Living site continuing apace in both construction and sales.

“To have Jamie and Craig join us from established businesses within the sector is testament that Urban Union is a great place to work, and we are delighted that they share our enthusiasm for what we do and for our existing and future projects.

“These two key appointments complete our senior management team and bring additional expertise to our highly experienced board.”

Urban Union achieves 2023 Gold Award for customer satisfaction

Glasgow based regeneration specialists Urban Union have received the In-house Research 2023 Gold Award for Customer Satisfaction as a result of their team’s continual efforts within their Glasgow and Edinburgh developments.

Accredited to companies who have achieved a customer recommendation score of 90% or above, the results are based on independent feedback given by existing customers to the In-house Research company during their 2022 surveys.

Urban Union Managing Director, Neil McKay comments “We are seeing an influx of awards within Urban Union of late, but those pertaining to our customers and their feedback of our services are particularly special to us.

To recognise that over 90% of our current homeowners would recommend us to either family or friends is a direct testament to our outstanding teams and the level of care they provide. Whether it’s our site sales advisers, our dedicated construction experts, the head office team or our customer care department, every division of Urban Union is committed to providing the best possible care and support to our customers.

Quality and service is what we as a business pride ourselves on, so to receive acknowledgement of our efforts in the form of a gold award is great news for Urban Union.”

What does community housing mean?

Community has various meanings across different sectors, however when it comes to Urban Union housing, we consider it to be the sense of togetherness we bring to new residents within our developments and the existing local community which defines it.

It’s a founding part of our company ethos and determines the way in which each of our projects are carried out.

 

Group activities and involvement with housing development

Investing in our local neighbourhoods

As well as providing affordable homes for first time buyers, couples and families, our team organise regular charity activities and events within the areas in which our developments are based.

From our contribution to community arts within Pennywell, to our investment with Invisible Cities to train those who have previously experienced homelessness to provide walking tours within the Gorbals area of Glasgow. It is our intention to ensure our homeowners feel a sense of commitment to the regeneration of the area from ourselves and that we are present within each of our locations.

 

customer service to assist

Making sure our team are readily available to residents

And all of this doesn’t stop once we have completed our housing developments, we have recently launched a new mobile app for our customers which provides a real time messaging assistant, as well as creating a hub for all important home-related documents to be stored and searchable in one place.

We are committed to making sure we are readily available to provide support as and when it is required.

And, all of this has not gone unnoticed, with Urban Union having recently been nominated as a finalist in the 2023 Scottish Property Awards for work carried out within Laurieston Living.

 

new affordable apartments built within the Laurieston, Gorbals area of Glasgow

Browse our new homes and join the community

Interested in joining one of our communities? We currently have one and two bedroom apartments, as well as townhouses (Pollokshaws only), within our Pennywell Living and Pollokshaws Living developments.

We also have our new three and four bedroom townhouse options, some with roof terrace options, launching Saturday 28th January 2023 within Phase 3 of our Laurieston Living site.

Make sure to register your interest online and a member of our sales team will soon be in touch to provide you with more details.

Why must we invest in affordable housing?

An opinion piece by Urban Union Managing Director, Neil McKay. 

The current economic climate

Last year saw one of the biggest economic downturns of our time – but what does this mean for the housing market? The Bank of England has raised interest rates up to 3.5% – the highest rate since November 2008 and to add insult to injury, Standard Mortgage Rates (SMR) increased significantly resulting in major lenders pulling deals and returning with much higher prices due to ongoing market uncertainty.

But there is hope. The housing market is fundamental to the economy. Whilst housing investment is an unpredictable element to measuring the total output, if you were to buy a new home, it directly contributes to total output (GDP) via investment in land, building materials and job creation. Homes for Scotland reported that up to 79,200 people in Scotland are in employment supported by the housebuilding sector.

The importance of new homes

To support the industry, we need people to continue buying new homes, and with increased interest rates, these homes must be affordable. Building new, affordable homes will undoubtedly play a critical role in the nation’s recovery. Homes for Scotland’s report in March 2022 mentions the house building sector’s direct contribution to the Scottish economy is £1.8 billion direct Gross Value Added (GVA) and £3.4bn in direct, indirect and induced GVA.

For every £1 spent on construction alone, £2.84 of economic activity is generated, with 90 per cent of this spending retained in the UK. On top of this, as the country looks to the post-pandemic recovery, the sector has a substantial role to play.

Social housing and regeneration projects are just as important.

We must provide families and individuals with affordable and sustainable quality homes and social housing which align with the UK’s net zero objectives. All communities should have good public transport links and connectivity, in addition to being within proximity of city centres to help urban areas attract buyers.

Housing developments by Urban Union

At Urban Union, our developments across Scotland aim to be more than just the regeneration of bricks and mortar, but that of communities. In addition to the financial economic benefits, affordable housing can also significantly improve social benefits through creative activation of spaces. We can help promote healthy lifestyles and community interaction in public spaces – such as our recently converted community hub at Laurieston Living in Glasgow – to boost the wellbeing of those residing in our communities.

But we cannot do this on our own and whilst there is help from the Government, it may not be enough. The Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) from the Scottish Government states it is committed to delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 of which at least 70% will be available for social rent and 10% will be in remote, rural and island communities. However, the March 2022 Homes for Scotland report has indicated that at least 25,000 new homes per annum need to be built to keep pace with demand.

A clear and sustainable investment in regeneration and affordable housing, will not only address Scotland’s housing shortfall and support economic recovery, but will also have a significant positive impact on the wellbeing of our communities at a time where economic certainty and the value of our communities has never been more important.

Neil McKay is Managing Director, Urban Union

Urban Union Appoints Stefan Oliver to Lead Community Benefits Programme

Urban Union specialise in regenerating urban areas to deliver high quality, affordable new homes whilst revitalising communities.

Currently building at Pollokshaws, Hamiltonhill and Laurieston in Glasgow and Pennywell in Edinburgh, Urban Union have strengthened their links to local communities through projects such as supporting the Citizen’s Theatre, involving local Edinburgh school children in tree planting at Pennywell Nature Garden and hosting the Living Legends arts project at their new events and exhibition space at 166 Gorbals Street.

 

Community walking tours within Gorbals, Glasgow, supported by Urban Union

 

Stephan Oliver joins Urban Union in the role of Community Impact Advisor to realise the ambition to always be part of the community in which they work.

Stefan holds an HNC in Construction Management, civil engineering and horticulture and possesses a range of key analytical and critical thinking skills as well as a being a strong project manager –  all attributes that align to Urban Union’s ongoing community engagement plans.

 

Stefan Oliver, community advisor at urban union in Glasgow and Edinburgh

 

Stefan commented: by focussing on building communities alongside our developments, we help create environments where whole families can grow and thrive which we know can make a real difference to their everyday lives. I’m looking forward to developing new programmes across our sites through a range of community benefits projects.

For me working at Urban union will give me a platform to make meaningful impacts within the communities we are building or regenerating. Urban Union’s commitment to improving social value in all stages of construction is key but particularly the aim to leave a positive legacy when we have completed our projects. My aim is to ensure that we continue to be a leader in what we do.

 

Managing Director of Urban Union, Neil McKay

 

Neil McKay, Managing Director of Urban Union added: community engagement is at the heart of Urban Union’s plans. Having successfully delivered hundreds of homes across Scotland, we are putting our award-winning experience to good use as we support ongoing regeneration through our commitment to support local communities and enhance the lives of everyone who lives in or uses a Urban Union development.

 

Apprenticeship opportunities for the local community, provided by Urban Union

 

In addition to supporting local projects and good causes, Urban Union run a young apprenticeship programme which links to local schools and colleges across all their Projects. From this programme various jobs are created during the construction phase of each project, with Urban Union committed to providing employment opportunities for local people.

Why buy a new build home?

Purchasing a previously owned home has its advantages. It might be full of character and in an established neighbourhood, or it might be a property with potential for improvement. However, there are many advantages of buying new too!

Not only is a brand new home energy efficient and cheaper to run, but it’s also a turn-key property, meaning you can move in and make it your own without any need for expensive renovations.

At both Pennywell Living and Pollokshaws Living, our high-quality apartments are located within a thriving community and benefit from our trademark features of bright, spacious rooms, energy-efficiency and great storage.

Moreover, every home comes equipped with all the components necessary for modern life, including well-finished, fully integrated kitchens, a neutral décor, and airy living areas suitable for a wide range of buyers.

But what are the other benefits of a newly built home?

 

Window installation within new home development

 

Your home warranty

A new home will be structurally sound and less likely to need repairs for many years. With an older home, you could find that it will experience ongoing problems simply through wear and tear and so it’s essential to set aside a budget for decorating and minor repairs with any home you buy.

After several years you may need to replace the windows and manage an established garden.

Here in Scotland, we have weather-related problems such as leaky roofs and dampness, which could result in expensive repairs.

A new property from Urban Union will have a building warranty, safeguarding you against large repair payments typical of older properties.

 

New homes for sale with improved energy efficiency

 

Improved energy efficiency within new homes

You will also be able to save money through your new home’s improved energy efficiency – something we are all extremely conscious of in the face of rising energy bills.

Although the price cap was reduced – this is due to expire in April, after which, we don’t yet know what the rise will be. As a society, we are placing much more importance on eco-friendly elements within our homes and helping the UK to reach net zero. Home energy efficiency is a massive part of how we deal with this collectively.

New homes are built with energy efficiency features and are constructed to a higher standard than in previous years. They must adhere to minimum standards when it comes to energy efficiency, leading to lower household carbon footprints and lower energy bills.

When buying a new build home, you won’t be wasting money on heat escaping via poor insulation or old windows.

 

First time buyers, woman and dog, enjoying safe new build home

 

Higher safety and security specification within new build homes

And finally, compared to your current property, newly built developments have the most up-to-date standards on safety and security incorporated. Materials must be fire-resistant with detectors fitted for you.

In addition, the overall designs are also built with fire safety and evacuation in mind.

Security is often standard, too, giving both peace of mind as well as helping to bring down home, building and contents insurance fees.

 

New build homes, apartments ideal for a first time buyer

Reserve your space within an Urban Union development

If searching for your new home and now finding yourself inspired to invest in a brand new development, then get in touch with Urban Union.

We currently have one and two bedroom apartments, available to reserve within our Pollokshaws Living and Pennywell Living sites – with Hamiltonhill and Laurieston (Phase 3) launching in the near future.

Keep up to date with our latest developments by downloading our mobile app on either the App Store or Google Play.

Downsize your life

If your home is too large for you and you want to reduce your monthly outgoings, have you considered downsizing? Downsizing evokes images of older homeowners moving to more manageable homes. But downsizing is for anyone who wants to move to a smaller, energy-efficient property close to a range of amenities.

The thought of moving can be particularly daunting, especially if you have been in your home for a long time and have precious family memories. So, deciding to downsize can be a tough decision. However, it can make a lot of sense if the family have all flown the nest and you are approaching retirement, or you simply want to reduce your outgoings and live close to public transport or amenities.

When you downsize, you could release some of the equity you’ve worked hard to build up, reduce your mortgage repayments and save money by being closer to public transport or amenities. If you choose a new property, you’ll also save money on your energy bills.

Here are some tips for downsizers:

Consider where you want to move to

Do you want to move closer to work, public transport, local parks or amenities? Could you ditch the car by living in a more urban area? Or are you looking for a more rural lifestyle? As well as location, consider the type of property you’re looking for – an older property could need a larger budget to allow for maintenance or decorating costs. In contrast, a new build will enable you to save on maintenance, renovation or energy costs.

Organisation is key

Once you’ve decided to downsize, create a to-do list so you have a clear idea of what exactly needs doing and when. Go through what needs doing in each room – what you can’t live without, what you can and what needs doing before you put your property up for sale. This will help you to see what space you require from your new home – the number of rooms, bathrooms, garage, storage space etc. Writing it down will give you a clear picture of how small you can go. Also, consider how much time you spend outside. Are you a keen gardener? If so, it’s important to find a property with some outside space so you can continue with your hobby.

Sorting out your home

Sorting each room, in turn, will help to avoid chaos and stress whilst still living in your current home. There will be non-negotiable items, either due to practical necessity or sentimental value, but generally, you need to be fairly ruthless if downsizing to a smaller space. If you have a clear idea of how many rooms you will be moving to, this will help you avoid keeping unnecessary items you won’t have space for. If you have items that are beyond repair or haven’t been used for years, either ditch them or find a new home for them. You could gift items to friends or family that would like them or even put them on eBay, Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, giving you some extra cash for your new home. Your new home may require investing in new furniture, so it’s a great opportunity to freshen up your interiors. Measure-up bigger items of furniture you plan to keep, making sure they will fit the floorplan and layout of your new home too.

Do the sums

Long term, downsizing can be a significant cost saver, including lower energy bills, reduced maintenance costs and even a smaller council tax bill. However, there are initial costs to moving that should be factored in, including estate agency, solicitor, conveyancing and removals fees, and LBTT.

If you are thinking of downsizing, take a look at the new homes available at Pennywell Living in Edinburgh.  We have some exceptional one and two-bedroom apartments for sale in various styles. One-bedroom prices start at £169,995, and two-bedroom apartments are from £189,995.

Urban Union Appoints Three New Board Members

We are strengthening our board with three new appointments to drive the business forward as it expands its operations across the central belt.

Urban Union regenerates urban areas through building new, high quality, affordable homes while creating employment and training opportunities. It counts The City of Edinburgh Council, Glasgow City Council, New Gorbals Housing Association, and Queens Cross Housing Association among its client partners.

Managing Director Neil McKay will be joined on the board by; Kirsty Parry, Sales and Marketing Director, Alan Dunsmore, Technical Director and Carole Lambie, Finance Director.

Kirsty and Alan are being promoted internally, having been with Urban Union for eight and four years, respectively and Carole joined Urban Union earlier this year from Cruden Building (East Ltd), where she was Head of Finance.

Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: “Urban Union has been delivering some of the most desirable regeneration projects over the last 11 years, creating positive social and environmental impact, to enhance local economic prosperity, wellbeing, inclusion and resilience. The appointments to the board are aimed at strengthening our governance and creating enhanced opportunities for senior-level engagement with our customers as we listen and plan to develop regeneration solutions that address their challenges head-on. The appointments also demonstrate our commitment to our people, and I am proud that we have two internal promotions to announce.”

Neil McKay, Managing Director, Urban Union, said: “I am delighted to be joined on the board by such a strong team. Both Kirsty and Alan have been key members of the Urban Union team for a considerable time, and it’s fitting recognition that they have been appointed to the board, which is complemented by Carole, who joined us earlier this year.

“We have solid plans for growth and having the right structure in place will allow us to deliver meaningful regeneration projects across Scotland. Our unwavering commitment to our partners, clients customers and to contributing social value in the areas we operate has enabled us to establish ourselves as a key delivery partner for local authorities and SLAs.
“Our private market offering is also an important part of our business, and we take great pride in the quality of homes that are being delivered for the affordable market.”

In the coming weeks, Urban Union is launching a new app for customers which will enhance the customer journey and enables progress updates at every stage of the build. Providing a live experience, the app has been designed with the full customer journey at its core from pre-purchase through to home demonstrator videos.

Over lockdown and restrictions, we all spent a lot more time at home. This increased our household bills – and as of October 1st the price of fuel has risen again. Although we are all being given a grant of £66 per month during the winter months, our bills have still increased. With that in mind, here are some things you can do to keep your bills down now and in the future.

Energy Efficient Homes

By living in an energy-efficient home you can save a great deal of money on your fuel bills. By investing in a new, highly efficient home, your utility bills will be kept at a minimum without having to undertake expensive upgrades. All newly built homes are highly energy efficient and will save you a huge amount on your bills compared to an older property.

Nice day? Keep your blinds and curtains open

An easy change which we often overlook is to make the most of the sun’s heat and let natural light into your home. Not only will it reduce the need for electric lighting, you’ll be surprised how much the sun will keep your home warm even if it’s cold outside. This could save around 60% on your bills compared to lighting and heating your home on a good day.

Check light bulbs

By replacing standard lightbulbs with energy-efficient alternatives you could save up to 75% on your energy bill. They use a fraction of the energy compared to normal light bulbs.

Turn off radiators

If you have occasionally used or unused rooms in your house such as a guest bedroom, formal dining room or snug, consider turning off the radiators in those rooms and closing the doors. This will cut down your bills by around 30%. You can also purchase individual radiator thermostats so that you only use the heat that you need and aren’t heating rooms that are rarely used.

Don’t block the radiator

We often push furniture against radiators, but by having something like a sofa pressing up against it, the heat goes into the furniture and not the room. You need a space or around six inches between the radiator and anything close to it so the heat can circulate. This can save about 10% on your energy bill.

Move seating away from external walls

If you are sitting near an external wall, you are more likely to feel the cold in your home and put up the heating. Try and arrange furniture against internal walls and

Conservatory?

The problem with a conservatory is that it can be too cold in the winter and very hot in the summer – if this room isn’t being used, make sure that you keep the doors closed when it’s cold outside and if you do have a mainly sunny day in the autumn or spring when you would use the heating, open the adjoining doors. It’s also advisable in winter to put a curtain between the two rooms, and you could look at installing a roof to regulate the temperature.