May 24 2024

A condemned Livingston housing estate has begun a new life following a £9.7m regeneration programme to deliver 55 newly built homes.

Deans South was identified for demolition in 2004 following the discovery of a fault in the concrete used to construct the homes, triggering a lengthy 20-year process to rehouse tenants.

The 2.9-acre site was eventually taken on by Springfield and Wheatley Homes in 2023 with the first new residents now moving in, among them campaigner Kerry Macintosh who has continued living on the estate fighting for a fair deal for tenants.

Macintosh said: “Having waited for this day for over 20 years, I can’t quite believe this is actually happening. It’s hard to put into words how it felt to be handed the keys and to take the very first steps into my brand new home, it was a mixture of relief and pure joy. “A safe and secure home in a thriving community is all I’ve ever wanted and we’re finally in a position to make this happen."

Comprising 46 affordable homes and a further nine private properties for existing homeowners the energy-efficient homes were built using a timber kit system.  

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