Major plans submitted to build new town costing £1.3bn

Major plans to build a new coastal town in Scotland valued at £1.3 billion have been submitted. 

Phase One of the “landmark” development at Granton Waterfront in Edinburgh is now in the hands of the planning department of The City of Edinburgh Council. 

Cruden Homes is the developer for the scheme, which will see 847 mixed-tenure residential properties (of which at least 35 per cent will be affordable) built close to the iconic Granton Gasholder, the capital’s largest brownfield site. 

Other aspects of the build include: 

• a new primary school  

• commercial units  

• transport infrastructure  

• active travel routes  

• public realm and open space 

Vattenfall Heat UK has been handed a utilities contract for the scheme and will be tasked with installing a low-carbon heat network to supply the area.  

When complete, the Granton Waterfront development could be considered the “largest regeneration project of its kind in Scotland”, according to council leader, Cammy Day. 

Restoring the gasholder to its former glory 

The Granton Gasholder is currently undergoing restoration by McLaughlin & Harvey (M&H) to provide a high-quality public park within the original 76 x 46-metre frame. 

M&H began work on site in January last year as main contractor on behalf of the council, using £16.4 million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. 

The Scottish Government also provided an additional £1.2 million for the new park. 

Several other historic buildings on site are also being restored, including the former Granton Station which has been refurbished and now has its own public square. 

“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,” said Cruden Homes managing director, Fraser Lynes.  

“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.” 

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