A proposal to redevelop Muirhouse Shopping Centre and surrounding area to create a new civic centre in Pennywell and Muirhouse will be considered by the Council next week as the latest stage of the ongoing regeneration of the wider area.
A report going before all councillors on Thursday (27 October) outlines the proposals which are anticipated to bring around 160 energy efficient affordable homes, 13 retail units, new office space for local services and a new quality civic square and public realm, linking this centre with the wider area.
Over 90 of the new homes will be built specifically for older people with lift access and communal meeting space. The aim of this is to create a safe, secure and supportive environment to enable residents to remain in their home for longer.
Approval will be sought to place a project order with Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd using Scape Group Ltd (Scape) framework to deliver the new civic centre on a phased basis over the next three to four years.
Pennywell/Muirhouse is one of Scotland’s largest, most significant, award winning, housing led regeneration projects. The transformation of the area has so far seen the construction of the new Craigroyston Community High School in 2010 and construction of over 700 new homes and an NHS led partnership centre well underway. The area will be home to around 2000 new residents and 180 staff over the next six to eight years.
The Council was successful this year in securing £1.52 m funding from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grants Fund to create the civic square and improve access to the arts centre and local services, which has proved a major boost in bringing this project forward.
Housing Convener, Councillor Cammy Day, said: “The Pennywell development is Scotland’s largest housing-led regeneration scheme which captures what we’re aiming for across the city – a range of affordable, energy efficient homes that are completed to the highest standard.
“We know there is a strong desire within the Pennywell and Muirhouse community to see the area transformed into a new ‘civic heart’ for the existing, new and emerging population. These proposals for a new local centre and community hub will make the area an attractive place where people wish to live, work and play and will serve future generations.”
Throughout September and October 2016 consultations were carried out with the Improving Muirhouse and Pennywell (IMP) development group in addition to drop in events and on street consultation to provide information regarding the proposals and gather views. This will continue into November as part of the Pre Application Consultation in advance of the planning application which is anticipated to be submitted early next year.
Community group CAN (Community Action North) will be holding a follow-up to their People Powered Place event on Monday evening in North Edinburgh Arts Centre from 5.30pm. It’s another opportunity to find out more about what’s being proposed in the area around the shopping centre.
For further information email juliesmith@northedcan.org.uk or call
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