Developments
Historically, development has occurred on all rural Estates – although in the past, most residential development was to house Estate staff and employees.
Throughout the latter part of the 20th Century, the numbers of people employed on the land has dwindled significantly but the need for housing in the UK has continued to rise. As a result, many surplus cottages are now let to people unconnected with the day to day activities of the Estate.
Notwithstanding that, the need for good quality housing is as acute as it has ever been. Estates often have suitable land for development on the fringes of towns or villages – Douglas and Angus Estates are no exception, having interests in Douglas, Coldstream, and four smaller villages – Glespin, Roberton, Crawfordjohn in Lanarkshire, and Birgham in Berwickshire.
Residential development today is a means of generating income and the Estates’ aim is to provide good quality housing that is sensitive to the local environment, the vernacular of the area, at an affordable price.
Development is a long term business and so the Estates are continually working on a number of projects in order to be able to service the local need for housing as it arises.
In the past, residential development land was generally sold off, but in recent years, Douglas and Angus Estates have preferred to be involved with developments themselves (often in the form of joint ventures) which has provided greater input and control over what happens, helping to ensure a better end result and creating homes that "respect" the local venacular.
The Estate currently has an active ongoing involvement in six development projects on the two Estates:
Douglas Estate - Gateside, Springhill, The Coalyard in Douglas and Howgate Road, Roberton
Hirsel Estate - Leet Haugh, Coldstream & Birgham Haugh, Birgham