A former care home site in Fife has been converted into a new affordable housing community offering 44 homes for older people. Robertson Partnership Homes finished the Lochgelly development for Fife Council under the local authority’s Affordable Housing Programme, marking the completion of a project that turns a long-vacant plot into dedicated living space.
What the new Lochgelly housing development includes
The site had sat empty since buildings were demolished in 2018. It now holds 20 amenity homes alongside a 24-flat extra care facility designed for people aged 55 and over with varying care needs. Properties range from one-bedroom flats to three-bedroom bungalows, with wheelchair-accessible homes featuring specially designed kitchens with adjustable worktops.
All 44 homes meet the Scottish Government’s Housing for Varying Needs standards and include measures aimed at improving energy efficiency. High-performance insulation, energy-efficient windows, modern heating systems and solar panels will help the properties achieve an EPC B rating. That puts the homes well above the minimum standard for many older buildings in the area.
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There’s a broader angle here that goes beyond the buildings themselves. Turning an old care site into housing for older people reflects a shift in how local authorities think about aging populations — instead of concentrating care in institutional settings, the emphasis is on letting people stay in their own communities with support available when they need it. The extra care model sits somewhere between independent living and full residential care, and it’s becoming a more common answer for councils trying to stretch housing budgets while meeting social needs.
Community benefits beyond the 44 new homes
Robertson says the project has delivered wider economic and social benefits, including 361 apprenticeship weeks and opportunities for local suppliers. Links with Fife College resulted in six CSCS cards being funded for students and 11 weeks of work experience, while pupils at Lochgelly High School received employment-focused training.
Councillor Judy Hamilton, Fife Council’s spokesperson for housing and building services, said: “It’s fantastic to see these new properties completed and ready to welcome residents. This development is about much more than bricks and mortar. We’re creating a place where people can live independently, safely and comfortably, while having access to the support they need as they get older.”
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She added: “We’ve taken a site that stood empty for several years and transformed it into high-quality, affordable housing that will make a real difference to people’s lives. In particular, the extra care facility will help more people remain part of their local community while receiving the care and support they need. I’m sure tenants will be delighted with their new houses and the attractive environment that’s been created around them.”
The development is the seventh and final project delivered by Robertson under the latest phase of Fife Council’s Affordable Housing Programme. Robertson Timber Engineering also supported the scheme from design through to installation, supplying offsite-manufactured panels and components to reduce waste and disruption while delivering sustainability benefits. Operational delivery was carried out by Robertson Construction Eastern.
Susan Wilson, commercial director of Robertson Construction Eastern, said: “As an affordable housing delivery partner for Fife Council, the completion of these 44 properties at Lochgelly mean we have delivered 320 homes in the latest phase of its Affordable Housing Programme. These developments are providing quality, affordable and energy-efficient homes for the residents of Fife Council and helping them to meet their commitment to transform vacant sites, generate real benefits, and create thriving communities.”
