Work on one of Scotland’s largest ever housing-led regeneration projects started in North Edinburgh this week and children from Craigroyston Primary School joined city council Housing leader Councillor Cammy Day and community representatives to lend a hand on the old Craigroyston High School site earlier today.
A total of 719 high quality private and affordable homes will be built as part of the Muirhouse and Pennywell area master plan.
The Pennywell development will be delivered by the Council’s 21st Century Homes programme and will lead to 356 homes becoming available for social and mid-market rent over the next six years.
Urban Union will sell the remaining 363 homes privately. Delivered in four phases, the first phase will see 193 homes, of which 108 will be for the Council, being built by the end of 2016.
The project will also deliver a number of community benefits, including jobs and training through apprenticeships and work placements.
An Arts Strategy for the regeneration is being developed and Urban Union recently appointed North Edinburgh Arts to take this forward. Other plans for the area include a play area, park, a community garden and landscaping.
Cllr Day said: “I’m delighted that the work on this development, in partnership with Urban Union, is under way at last and it’s great to see the children from Craigroyston here. They will be here to see the benefits of the area’s regeneration, and may even move into new homes themselves.”
Janice Russell, Director of Urban Union, said: “We are now looking forward to moving on site and progressing with one of Scotland’s largest and most significant homes-led regeneration projects.
“As well as homes, the Pennywell project is also set to deliver a huge range of benefits – including apprenticeships and construction jobs as well as an innovative artworks strategy which will all deliver wider opportunities for the local community.
“Most importantly, we now want to build on the high level of community engagement which has already taken place in the development of the masterplan for the area. There will be opportunities for the community to be involved in finalising the plans for public spaces as well creating a range of community enterprises and partnership working.
“Our track record in Scotland shows we are 100% committed to community engagement and we look forward to developing strong local partnerships which will form the cornerstone of our development street.”
Roy Douglas, chairperson of the Muirhouse and Salvesen Community Council, said: “The local community will be really happy to see that the work on this major project is starting. The development is a vital step forward in the regeneration of this area and will bring vital jobs and low-cost housing.”
Last week, the city council announced that a record amount of affordable homes are being built in Edinburgh, delivering more than 1,200 quality, low-cost places to live in 2013/14.
The Council, working with housing associations and house builders, invested £142m of public and private funding in house building over the past year generating £107m for the local economy, and support for more than 1,900 jobs.
As of March 2014, 1,000 homes were under construction – and building more affordable homes remains a key priority. Councillor Day said: “The fact that this has been another record year for the provision of affordable homes in Edinburgh despite the economic climate is excellent news. Residents have the right to access quality, sustainable housing in their local communities and we are working hard to make this happen.
“However, it’s important that we keep up the momentum and continue to work with partner agencies to provide new housing each year. Demand for housing that people can afford to rent or buy will continue and we are committed to meeting this need, as well as supporting the local economy.”
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I’m really hoping this is the start of a new bright future for Muirhouse and Craigroyston. I hope they don’t stop after all the new buildings are complete though. There is going to be plenty more to do to put a soul into the area and to deal with other areas and buildings that are an eye-sore and not fit for a city like Edinburgh. The Pennywell ‘shopping centre’ would be a good place to start.
This is a huge step in the right direction for North Edinburgh
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