Shoosmiths advises social housing provider on new development

The social housing real estate team from Shoosmiths has advised Dunedin Canmore Housing on the phase 2 acquisition of its social housing development in Eskmills, Musselburgh.

Dunedin Canmore, part of Wheatley Group, is a non-profit making charity and leading provider of social housing in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife. It is a registered social landlord, regulated by The Scottish Housing Regulator. The development, in Musselburgh, is part of a drive to help older people live independently in their homes for longer.

Shoosmiths social housing team has a long standing relationship with Dunedin Canmore, having acted for them in excess of 15 years. In 2012 the team advised on the first phase of development which saw 31 amenity flats built on the site.

The second phase of the project will build a further 31 homes that will be provided to the over 55s as an alternative to traditional sheltered housing.

Head of social housing in Scotland partner, Janette Speed led the deal supported by associate Laura Bloxham.

Penny Turnbull, development manager for the Dunedin Canmore Group, said: “We have worked with the team at Shoosmiths for a number of years and they have a great reputation in the region for providing specialist social housing advice in relation to property transactions and so they were the obvious choice when we were looking for a law firm to advise on this development.

“Once again they have provided a first class service with the completion of the second phase of this project. I would like to thank them for their commercial and pragmatic approach.”

Ms Speed added: “Shoosmiths are pleased to have been instructed to act on the second phase of such an important social housing development project in the region.

“The depth of our expertise here in Edinburgh means that we can provide our social housing clients with expert advice on all key real estate matters in this sector. We wish Dunedin Canmore Housing every success with this development, which will bring an enormous benefit to the local community.”