Scottish Housing Day at Bridgewater Village

Lovell welcomed residents, community representatives and housing partners to a Community Connections Day at Bridgewater in South Queensferry.

The event, held to mark Scottish Housing Day (17 September), gave residents the chance to connect with their neighbours and discover what makes South Queensferry such a special place to live.

Now in its tenth year, Scottish Housing Day celebrates the role of housing in building strong, supportive communities. This year’s theme “Everyone Needs Good Neighbours”  highlights how important community connections are for our wellbeing. According to the Scottish Household Survey, 95% of people in Scotland say their neighbourhood is a good place to live, underlining the importance of strong community connections and spaces to meet and socialise.

Bridgewater is a new mixed-tenure development by Lovell, which will include 398 homes for social rent, private rent, and private sale. It’s being delivered in partnership with Sanctuary Scotland, Simple Life Homes, the Scottish Government, and the City of Edinburgh Council.

Designed as a ‘20-minute neighbourhood’, The Crossings will give residents easy access to shops, schools, and services all within a short walk or cycle.

At the Community Connections Day, residents met local representatives, including members of the Queensferry & District Community Council. Families enjoyed a fun day out with kids’ activities, face painting, a treasure hunt, and stalls showcasing local groups and support services.

What partners had to say:

Tony Rankin, Regional Managing Director at Lovell, said:
“The Community Connections Day is a great way to support residents beyond just providing homes — it helps build a real sense of community.”

Gillian Lavety, Development Director at Sanctuary Scotland, said:
“Events like this help new residents feel welcome and connected from day one. We’re proud to be delivering high-quality homes here in South Queensferry.”

Niamh Waldron, from Simple Life Homes, added:
“Simple Life Homes is all about creating safe, welcoming rental communities, where people feel the benefit from a professional rental service. This event was a brilliant way for residents to meet and explore what the area has to offer.”

Keith Giblett, Chair of Queensferry & District Community Council, said:
“Strong communities start with good neighbours. We’re excited to welcome new residents and work together to make South Queensferry feel like home. Days like this showcases what makes our town special, with people coming together to support each other””