West Coast Capital (“WCC”), the private equity partnership, owners of WinchburghDevelopments Limited (“WDL”) has agreed a joint venture with CALA Homes to invest in the development and delivery of the overall masterplan across 352 hectares at Winchburgh in West Lothian just outside Edinburgh, with WDL being jointly owned.
The joint venture, alongside a tripartite agreement between the Scottish Government, West Lothian Council and WDL, has secured the future of one of the UK’s largest developments which will include 3450 new homes, new schools and a range of infrastructure including improved transport links, a new marina, a 75 acre district park and 35 acres of employment land.
The agreement will now see WDL delivering the overall masterplan that will unlock sites for 3450 homes for multiple house builders and ease pressure on housing needs across West Lothian including some 700 affordable houses, 400 of which will come forward as social rented accommodation.
Sir Tom Hunter, Founding Partner, WCC paid tribute to the Scottish Government and West Lothian Council for their support for the development;
“Both West Lothian Council and the Scottish Government have played a critical role in securing this long-term development for Scotland.
“Having already delivered 588 homes in the first phase with five national housebuilders we now look forward to moving forward with many more housebuilders to deliver much needed homes for West Lothian in the next phase of development.”
The overarching agreement will see West Lothian Council build new state-of-the-art schools. The schools will be forward funded by West Lothian Council with support from the Scottish Government but ultimately will be paid for by house builders across West Lothian via receipts from the roof tax as housing is developed.
In support of WDL’s infrastructure investment the Building Scotland Fund is lending the joint venture £26.8m towards the development on a secured and interest bearing basis.
Phase One of Winchburgh saw five private housebuilders; Barratt Homes, Miller Homes, Bellway, Stewart Milne Homes and Taylor Wimpey active on site, with the expectation that many more will participate in the ongoing development. In addition, West Lothian Council’s Housing Department and the Wheatley Group, through its subsidiary West Lothian Housing Partnership, delivered 96 affordable housing units for social rent in the new town centre.
Commenting CALA chief executive , Kevin Whitaker added;
“We are delighted to be partnering with West Coast Capital to help fund and deliver a high quality, sustainable development that will bring multi-tenure housing, education and infrastructure to West Lothian. Following the acquisition of CALA by Legal General last year, we have the appetite, expertise and capability to work on ambitious large-scale projects such as Winchburgh. “West Coast Capital has worked incredibly hard over the last eight years to bring the site to this advanced stage. We now look forward to working with them and other stakeholders to deliver the next chapter of this exciting project, including the Scottish Government and West Lothian Council whom have played a pivotal role in the progression of the development.”
Paul Davidson, managing partner of WCC noted;
“This joint venture with CALA is truly transformational for WDL and the overall Winchburgh development and we look forward to working with CALA, West Lothian Council and the Scottish Government to realise the ambition and vision of the Winchburghdevelopment.”
John Hamilton, CEO, Winchburgh Developments Limited said;
“It’s a huge achievement for all parties involved to have reached this point where the plans we have made can start to become a reality. The masterplan for Winchburgh goes far beyond building new homes. This is set to be one of the most exciting placemaking projects in the UK, which will bring new education facilities, a significant number of permanent jobs, and improved transport links to the area.”