Granton Waterfront coastal town plans move a step closer

Granton Waterfront

PLANS for the first phase of a £1.3 billion new coastal town at Granton Waterfront in Edinburgh have been made available to view on the City of Edinburgh Council’s Planning Portal.

In partnership with Cruden Homes, the local authority plans to transform part of the capital’s largest brownfield site into a new development comprising over 800 net zero homes, capacity for a new primary school and low carbon heat network, commercial units, active travel routes and other sustainable transport infrastructure as well as public and open space. At least 35% of the homes will be of affordable tenure.

The homes will connect to a low carbon heat network, delivered by Vattenfall Heat UK Ltd. At the heart of the project sits the Granton Gasholder, which is currently being restored to become a public park as well as several historic buildings including the former Granton Station, which has been refurbished and now has its own public square.

Council leader Cammy Day said, “We’ve been consulting with people every step of the way to deliver this project. I’m really pleased that after listening to feedback from the local community and others interested in the area, the team has submitted plans for the largest regeneration project of its kind in Scotland at Granton Waterfront as part of the £1.3 billion regeneration. To deliver our net zero targets for the capital, sustainable regeneration is so important and every element of this development has been designed with that in mind.

“We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a 20-minute neighbourhood completely from scratch which includes affordable net zero homes, shops, cultural, leisure and education facilities all close by. Our plans show how the new neighbourhood will link to the rest of the city and beyond as well as to the many established communities nearby.”

Fraser Lynes, MD of Cruden Homes, added, “We have thoroughly enjoyed working closely with the council, local community and key stakeholders to create a transformational design that reconnects the capital to the Firth of Forth. This landmark, landscape-led development of Edinburgh’s coastline takes a fresh approach to urban regeneration which will create an exciting new coastal community set to become one of Europe’s largest waterside amenities.

“Moreover, the delivery of 847 much needed, high quality and sustainable new homes across all tenures will make an important contribution to alleviating the well documented housing emergency.”