PLANS for the ‘largest regeneration project of its kind’ in Scotland for a new coastal town in Edinburgh have been approved by the city’s planning authority.
The council’s development management sub-committee has unanimously agreed a planning application for the first phase of the £1.3 billion project to transform Granton Waterfront.
The decision paves the way for 847 ‘net zero ready’ homes to be built in partnership with Cruden Homes on the capital’s largest brownfield site. The homes will be a mix of social rent, mid-market rent, and homes for sale.
The development will provide capacity for a new primary school and a low carbon heat network. There will also be commercial units, active travel routes, and other transport infrastructure as well as public and open space. The first phase of regeneration in Granton Waterfront will be delivered from 2025 to 2032.
As part of the council’s strategy to address Edinburgh’s housing emergency, 45% of the homes will be affordable.
The council’s regeneration plans are already underway at Granton Waterfront with some early projects taking shape. Tenants are moving into 75 new ‘net zero ready homes’ at Granton Station View, with over 400 ‘net zero ready’ homes for social rent, mid-market rent and homes for sale at Western Villages due to become available next year. A further 143 ‘net zero ready’ social and mid-market rent homes at Silverlea are due for completion in summer 2026.
At the heart of the development of Edinburgh’s coastline sits the Granton Gasholder, now known as ‘Gas Holder 1’. A new public park is almost complete within its frame, while another historic building, the former Granton Station, has been refurbished and now has its own square.
Council leader Cammy Day said, “This is welcome news for Edinburgh as we can now continue our exciting plans to transform the north of the city into a thriving environmentally-friendly new neighbourhood which people will want to call home, work in and visit. I’m really excited to see this milestone achieved, as we are one step closer to delivering a first phase of regeneration in Granton Waterfront.”
Fraser Lynes, MD of Cruden Homes, added, “This development represents a significant leap toward meeting Scotland’s growing demand for high-quality, energy-efficient housing of all tenures, and the planning outcome marks a major milestone for the project. In partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, our work at Granton Waterfront will deliver a diverse range of sustainable new homes designed to meet the community’s evolving needs. By pioneering innovative net zero solutions, Granton Waterfront is set to become a model for future housing developments across Scotland.”
