______ Project Overview

Dunbeg Phase 3 is a large £35 million development of 300 mixed tenure homes, for social rent and shared equity. Designed by Elder + Cannon Architects, the housing mix consists of flats, cottage flats and terraced housing.

This flagship development was built by MacLeod Construction for Link Group in Partnership with the Scottish Government and Argyll and Bute Council. In 2025 the project won Large Social Housing Development at the Scottish Home Awards and Large Affordable Development at the Homes for Scotland Awards.

______ Our Scope

As energy consultants, our focus was to develop an enhanced fabric strategy through increased levels of insulation, minimising heat loss. By adopting a fabric first approach, the building design will maximise the performance of components and materials that make up the building fabric resulting in reduced capital and operational costs, improved energy efficiency and a reduction in carbon emissions.

The project utilises Carbon Futures own in-house thermally modelled detail packs, which are designed to reduce unwanted infiltration and heat loss in buildings.

Additional services provided by Carbon Futures included a Statement on Energy (Planning), Approved Certifier of Design (Energy) certification, Building Regulation Compliance through the provision of SAP Calculations and provision of Energy Performance Certification.

______ Details

The development is designed to achieve Bronze level under Section 7 (Sustainability) of the 2017 Building Standards. It is also designed to achieve Silver Level Aspect 1 & 2 under Section 7 (Sustainability) in accordance with funding requirements.

With no gas available to the development, our proposed strategy focussed on the use of air source heat pumps together with an enhanced fabric solution to ensure compliance.

______ Awards

2025 Homes for Scotland Awards Winner – Affordable Development of the Year (large)
2025 Scottish Homes Awards Winner – Large Social Housing Development of the Year

______ Project Partners

Link Group
MacLeod Construction
Elder & Cannon
Argyll & Bute Council