The project is now under way and will include a collection of two-and three-bedroom affordable homes, comprising two-storey houses and single-storey cottages. Hard and soft landscaping is also included in the plans, as well as the creation of new footpaths and the upgrading of children's play facilities.
The development has been sensitively designed to meet energy and space heating gold standards aspects one and two, incorporating photovoltaic solar panels on each block and enhanced wall, floor, and roof insulation to achieve both silver and gold standards.
To promote eco-diversity, bird and bat boxes will be installed for each new building and an existing wild-flower meadow within the development will also be retained.
This project marks the first time the JR Group has worked with Fife Housing Group – which is one of the largest independent housing associations in the east of Scotland with approximately 2,500 properties in Fife and an annual turnover of over £12.7 million.
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The JR Group is working closely with a range of partners for the project, including architect Oliver & Robb, employer's agent Hardies, and engineers Bayne Stevenson Associates.
Andrew Dallas, Projects Director at The JR Group, said: "These new homes at Glen Albyn are high quality and have a strong sustainability focus, which reflects more accurately how we live today and how we will live in the future. Its green credentials are key to the project, and we are incredibly proud of what we are set to deliver for the Kirkcaldy community.
"The JR Group is committed to supporting the communities in which it works, and we will work collaboratively with Fife Housing Group in our aim benefit the individual needs of the local area as we move forward with the project."
Nicki Donaldson, Chief Executive of Fife Housing Group, is also keen to highlight the community and climate focus of this development. He added: "We are delighted to now be on-site and working in partnership with JR Group to bring 49 much needed new affordable homes and the associated community benefits to this area of Kirkcaldy. 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."
The JR Group employs around 200 staff and was founded in Govan in 1995. It started as a scaffolding business and is now one of the largest building and construction firms in Scotland. The business operates throughout Scotland and Northern England working on behalf of a number of the UK's leading housebuilders, registered social landlords and private clients – it also has recently launched its own private homebuilding division – JR Homes and timber kit division – DC Timber.
Fife Housing Group employ 74 colleagues, who are based at their offices in Dunfermline. They are committed to developing and building sustainable communities, making it their priority to provide homes which help tenants live the lives they choose, and have also been recognised as one of the Top 10 Housing Organisations to work for in the UK.
