CRUDEN Group has been announced as the preferred bidder to take forward the first phase of the creation of a £1.3 billion coastal town at Granton Waterfront in Edinburgh.
The City of Edinburgh Council said that it is hoped the contract for the works will be signed in the coming weeks.
The local authority will work alongside Cruden to take forward pre-development works, which include detailed designs for around 750 net zero homes, commercial space, new transport infrastructure, and public realm enhancements, as well as the build of a school and medical centre.
In addition, the council will also work with the firm to bring forward a low carbon energy solution for the first and future phases of the project contributing to its target to reach net zero emissions by 2030.
Cruden is set to bring on board local architect, Smith Scott Mullan, to the project, with Scandinavian architect C. F Moller also being ‘earmarked’ to work on the development.
It added that the architects will set ‘extremely high standards’ using ‘exemplary’ design to help develop a blueprint applying the capital’s 20-minute neighbourhood model, which will ensure those living in the area have all the facilities they need close to home.
Fraser Lynes, director at the Cruden Group, said, “We are excited to reimagine Granton Waterfront and create a brand new coastal quarter that champions sustainable waterfront living with net zero carbon homes, just three miles from the city centre. This new approach to urban development is transformational and will provide a blueprint for the future as we reconnect the capital to the Firth of Forth and create a new coastal neighbourhood which will become one of Europe’s largest coastal amenities.”
City of Edinburgh Council leader, Cammy Day, added, “It’s fantastic news that we can now look to pushing forward on the first phase of our major regeneration at Granton Waterfront with our development partner to transform the north of the city for people living there now and for future generations to come. This is the largest regeneration project of its kind in Scotland and it’s giving us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transition towards a greener economy in our capital city while building many of the affordable homes Edinburgh needs within 20 minute communities with shops, healthcare, cultural and leisure and education facilities all nearby.
“As Granton Waterfront is one of the seven strategic sites within the Edinburgh and south east Scotland city region deal it will build on Scotland’s vision for achieving net zero, placemaking and people-led growth.”
The council added that ‘great progress’ is already being made with early action projects at Granton Waterfront, with over 500 net zero affordable homes currently under construction at Western Villages off Marine Drive and a further 75 being built behind the former Granton Station building. Three commercial units are also under construction fronting onto Waterfront Avenue.
