Woodend of Glassel sits in private woodland just minutes from Banchory, Aberdeenshire. It will be built by Insch-based Passivhaus builder Coldwells Build.

There will be a mix of Coldwells Build’s designs: the five-bedroom McKinley and the four-bedroom Davidson. Each home will be independently certified to the Passivhaus Standard, the international gold standard for ultra-low-energy homes.

A Passivhaus has 79% less heating demand than a home built to current Scottish building regulations. It uses very high levels of insulation, triple-glazed windows and a draught-free structure, and most of its heat comes from free sources such as sunlight, body heat, and appliances like the kettle and TV.

“The first time I stood inside a Passivhaus, it felt different from any home I’d been in. It was quiet and comfortable, the air was fresh, and the surfaces weren’t cold to the touch. And it costs very little to heat. At Woodend of Glassel, people can experience Passivhaus living for themselves,” said Clare Booth, director of Coldwells Build.

The homes are prefabricated in Coldwells Build’s workshop in Insch, keeping skills, jobs and quality control in the region. They are designed by Glasgow-based John Gilbert Architects.

The planning approval comes as Scotland prepares a major shake-up of its building regulations, which would see new homes built to a “Scottish equivalent” of the Passivhaus Standard. Guidance is due in 2027, with the new standard expected to come into force from 2029.

“Scotland is about to raise the bar for every new home, so why wait? Woodend of Glassel is being built to the standard the rest of the industry is heading towards. The people who live here will have homes that are ready for the future from day one,” said Ross Booth, director of Coldwells Build.

Coldwells Build worked with landowners Ursula and Adrian George to bring the development forward. The couple have owned the site for more than 20 years.

“We wanted any development to respect what makes this setting so special, while creating high-quality homes that will serve people well for generations to come. We’re delighted to be working with Coldwells Build, offering homes that combine thoughtful design with exceptional energy efficiency,” said Ursula George.