PLANS for the "largest regeneration project of its kind in Scotland" for a coastal town in Edinburgh have been approved by the Capital’s planning authority.
Edinburgh City Council’s development management sub-committee today unanimously agreed a planning application for the first phase of the £1.3bn regeneration project to transform Granton Waterfront.
Today’s decision gives the go ahead for 847 "net zero ready" homes to be built in partnership with Cruden Homes on the city’s largest brownfield site.
The homes will be a mixture of social rent, mid-market rent and homes. The new development is hoped to create "attractive local living for residents" by providing capacity for a new primary school and a low carbon heat network.
There will also be commercial units, active travel routes and other sustainable transport infrastructure as well as public and open space. This first phase of regeneration in Granton Waterfront will be delivered from 2025 to 2032.
As part of the council’s strategy to address the city’s housing emergency 45% of the homes will be affordable.
Some tenants are already moving into 75 homes, with over 40 homes for social rent, mid-market rent and homes for sale at Western Villages due to become available next year. A further 143 homes at Silverlea are also due for completion in summer 2026.
A new public park is almost complete and the former Granton Station has been refurbished and it 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.
“When putting the planning application together we consulted local people every step of the way including those living in established communities nearby as well as other interested groups. Today’s decision will allow us to bring together those we listened to in these communities with new residents. After declaring a housing emergency last year it is vital that much of the housing provided will be affordable.
"We’ll also make sure Granton Waterfront has excellent active travel and public transport links to rest of the city and beyond as well as to the many established communities already in the area.”
Fraser Lynes, managing director of Cruden Homes, said: "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.
“At Cruden, we’re proud of our long history of building more than just homes; we’re fostering vibrant communities built to endure and flourish, setting a new standard for housing that truly serves both people and the environment."
