SATURDAY 11th MARCH from 11am – 2pm
We are delighted to be hosting an Opening Party for the launch of Granton Station Square on Saturday 11 March 2023, from 11am – 2pm.
The family-friendly event will be free and open to all.
Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1818248818558144
Come join us for wassailing at Granton Castle Walled Garden on the 19th February from 2 – 4pm. There will be activities, songs and refreshments all inspired by the wonderful apple trees.
Wassailing is an anglo-saxon tradition where the fruit trees are blessed with offerings of song, food and drink to encourage them to provide a bountiful harvest.
We will gather together and give the trees of our orchard a much needed cheer and scare away all of the bad spirits! Bring along some friends and family, and perhaps make yourself a lovely apple themed crown to wear.
Cash donations are appreciated but not required, if you have any questions please ask!
For details on how to find us visit our website:
Granton’s last remaining gasholder will be transformed following a £1.24 million award from the Scottish Government’s low carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme.
Councillors at the Development Management Sub-Committee on 25 January approved planning permission for the next stage of redevelopment of the iconic Granton Gasholder.
Today, it was also announced that the project’s application to the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund has been approved. This will tie in with the overall programme of delivery and will secure up to £1.3m of further grant funding to take this stage of the works forward.
As the restoration of the Gasholder frame continues, work will begin in Autumn 2023 on public realm improvements to the surrounding land.
Ultimately, the goals of the restoration are to ensure development of the surrounding sites can take place whilst opening up the area to create a multifunctional public space that can be used and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur said: “Neglected sites are often found in more disadvantaged settings and can become no-go areas or hamper community development. By targeting long-standing vacant and derelict land we can ensure that investment reaches the areas that need it most.
“The Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme helps attract private investment to locations which have lain dormant for years. It also supports low carbon developments, helping Scotland reach net zero by 2045 and grow an economy that is greener, fairer, and more prosperous.
“This green space development at the Granton Gasholder will bring a significant boost for the community and enhance wider regeneration. I look forward to seeing the completed project.”
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I am delighted that councillors have recently approved planning permission for the exciting high quality open space element of the redevelopment to the historic Granton Gasholder.
“The restoration of the Gasholder frame is already underway through funding provided by the Council and the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. With today’s announcement that we’ve been successful in our bid to the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund, we’re now able to progress our plans for creating an exciting public space which will see this iconic structure breathe new life into Granton Waterfront.
“This important development represents our plan to transform the structure, the centrepiece of our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront, into a visitor destination with high quality open space for everyone to enjoy.
“The wider regeneration is about using brownfield land to develop a sustainable 20-minute neighbourhood its residents will be proud of. It will be an area where people live in affordable, environmentally friendly homes, have excellent transport and active travel links, and access open and green space, arts, sports, and culture. Restoring the Gasholder is the first step in unlocking the wider regeneration.”
A derelict site once central to the Clyde’s shipbuilding industry will be transformed following a £2.4 million award from the low carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme.
The Govan Graving Docks were used for final painting and repair of vessels but have lain empty for 40 years. The Scottish Government award to upgrade a riverside walkway and create green space by 2025 is intended to help attract business investment, reverse biodiversity loss and habitat decline and create a visitor attraction.
Further restoration of the historic dockyard will see it used for repairing heritage vessels, while a footbridge linking the site to neighbouring visitor destinations including the Glasgow Science Centre is planned once private sector funding is secured.
It is one of 15 transformational schemes sharing £10 million in 2023-24 from the Programme. Other successful projects include:
Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur visited the Govan Graving Docks site to meet those behind the project. He said: “Neglected sites are often found in more disadvantaged settings and can become no-go areas or hamper community development. By targeting long-standing vacant and derelict land we can ensure that investment reaches the areas that need it most.
“The Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme helps attract private investment to locations which have lain dormant for years, It also supports low carbon developments, helping Scotland reach net zero by 2045 and grow an economy that is greener, fairer and more prosperous.”
Councillor Richard Bell, Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The Govan Graving Docks is a unique site in Glasgow, offering both a glimpse of the city’s past and a view into a future where we realise the potential of this remarkable Clydeside location.
“The very welcome announcement of £2.4 million funding from the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme will allow work to dramatically improve the appearance of the site, create new public green space to be co-designed by the local community, and improve access and connections to Glasgow Science Centre.
“The support announced today will hopefully act as a catalyst for future funding and the development of further stages in the regeneration of the Graving Docks.”
Projects to receive funding from Stage 2 of the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme for 2023-24:
| Lead applicant | Application | 2023-24 (£) | Total Grant Recommended |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Granton Gasholder | £1,224,410 | £1,224,410 |
| Clackmannanshire Council | Clacks Community – Growing a new Future | £500,000 | £500,000 |
| Clyde Gateway | Shawfield Phase 2 – Remediation | £200,000 | £200,000 |
| Fife Council | Ravenscraig Skills Hub | £491,582 | £491,582 |
| Glasgow City Council | Cadder Woods Community Greenspace | £521,193 | £772,700 |
| Glasgow City Council | Community Net Zero Hub | £182,276 | £182,276 |
| Glasgow City Council | Govan Graving Docks | £368,794 | £2,368,794 |
| Glasgow City Council | Greening Royston | £797,121 | £797,121 |
| Glasgow City Council | North Maryhill TRA Green Infrastructure | £650,000 | £1,450,000 |
| Highland Council | Cromlet Invergordon | £400,000 | £400,000 |
| Highland Council | Longman Park | £850,000 | £2,150,000 |
| Midlothian Council | All Through Community Learning Campus Shawfair | £2,122,000 | £3,667,000 |
| North Ayrshire Council | The King’s Arms Irvine | £400,000 | £600,000 |
| Perth and Kinross Council | Millhaugh – Phase 1 | £93,808 | £93,808 |
| West Dunbartonshire Council | Residential development at Pappert Bonhill | £500,000 | £1,250,000 |
| £9,301,184 | £16,147,691 |
A major milestone has been reached on a flagship, net zero carbon housing development in Edinburgh as the first homes are now under construction.
Located on Waterfront Avenue in Granton, ‘Plot D1’ will comprise over 70 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments alongside several commercial units. The apartments will be rented as social housing owned and managed by The City of Edinburgh Council or to households on low to middle incomes at a ‘mid-market’ rate that is lower than private rental rates.
The development will form a significant part of the ongoing £1.3bn regeneration of Granton’s waterfront and will set a roadmap for the future of net zero carbon housing delivery in Scotland.
This is the first of three confirmed pilot projects being delivered by The Edinburgh Home Demonstrator (EHD) – a programme providing an innovative approach to building affordable net zero carbon homes at scale.
The Scottish Government-backed programme has engaged a community of research and development experts to show how affordable net zero carbon homes can be created at scale across the six local authorities within the Edinburgh and Southeast City Deal Region.
Glasgow-based contractor and manufacturer CCG (Scotland) is leading construction of the ’Plot D1’ site on behalf of The City of Edinburgh Council alongside a design team of architects, engineers, and energy consultants.
The firm is leveraging the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) concept of offsite manufacturing on the pilot project. Standardised panels have been manufactured in CCG’s factory, transported to site, and positioned with the use of two cranes. This has resulted in a much quicker and efficient build, with one storey a week being completed on the Granton site.
This innovative combination of techniques will be evaluated by the EHD programme and will inform the development of a blueprint for procurement, quality standards, and cost that can be used across the sector to create affordable net zero communities.
The homes are designed to reach as close to net zero carbon as possible, with the aim of lowering energy demands, eliminating carbon emissions, and improving the living environment for residents. Renewable technologies such as a communal Air Source Heat Pump System and the use of solar PV panels will combine with the home’s enhanced building fabric to achieve the net zero standard of performance.
City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Cammy Day, said: “The future of housebuilding is happening here in Edinburgh, where we are proud to lead the biggest and most innovative net zero carbon development in the country.
“The pilot itself is helping to create and support jobs in green industries like offsite sustainable manufacturing. This is exciting to see and something our wider regeneration of Granton will build on.
“What we are doing with our partners at the Granton Waterfront is truly trailblazing and will see the community become a test bed for future innovation, skills development and much needed employment opportunities – all while pioneering 75 new net zero carbon affordable homes.”
Calum Murray, CCG (Scotland) Director and EHD Board Member, said: “CCG are pioneers for offsite manufacturing in Scotland. We operate from one of the UK’s most advanced facilities and use technological procedures to create homes in a controlled setting that are inherently designed to deliver an enhanced quality standard and minimise heat loss.
“For Granton D1, we will then integrate our entirely renewable energy system onsite. This uses several measures developed in partnership with Carbon Futures that combine with this improved standard of build to achieve our net zero target.
“The EHD programme is key to helping us to reach that target and this milestone at Granton D1 will be one of many along the way. It will be an exciting journey and one in which we are delighted to be playing our part alongside the Council and our trusted partners.”
Ainslie McLaughlin, Chair of the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator Programme Project Board, said: “The homes are quickly taking shape thanks to the offsite manufacture of key components.
“The productivity gains and speed of construction delivered by offsite MMC make it an important solution in the delivery of net zero carbon homes, especially to meet the demand for affordable housing. Scotland has both the capability and resources to scale this up, there is real opportunity here.”
The programme is delivered by multiple stakeholders including partners from The City of Edinburgh Council, Offsite Solutions Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University, the University of Edinburgh, Scottish Futures Trust, and Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) and is funded by the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme and The City of Edinburgh Council.
For more information, visit: https://www.be-st.build/accelerate-to-zero/modern-methods-of-construction/edinburgh-home-demonstrator/
New to market are eight cleared residential development sites in Western Harbour and Granton Harbour on Edinburgh’s waterfront.
The opportunity forms five sites at Western Harbour and three sites at Granton. The sites are considered highly strategic due to the potential for scaled residential development at a time when Edinburgh desperately requires more housing choice.
Western Harbour
The five waterfront residential development sites at Western Harbour total approximately 10.21 acres and are adjacent to the proposed Forth Ports masterplan.
Western Harbour boasts a range of local amenities including a David Lloyd gym, supermarkets, recreational facilities and a new primary school. The sites also neighbour vibrant Leith, voted in October 2021 by Time Out as one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods following extensive regeneration.
The sites are also well-connected by bus and are set to be even more so given the Newhaven Tram extension. The tram will terminate at nearby Newhaven Village (due to complete in Spring 2023) and it will offer access to Edinburgh city centre with a travel time of approximately 30 minutes, through to Edinburgh Airport via Edinburgh’s West End.
With the potential for c. 600 units, subject to planning, the sites are identified for housing-led-development within the Western Harbour Masterplan. The Western Harbour Masterplan is a housing led mixed-use development anticipated to comprise c. 3,000 residential units with retail and commercial space over 120 acres.
Granton Harbour
There are a further 3 sites at Granton Harbour (which forms part of the wider Granton Waterfront Development). The Granton project is located just three miles north of the city centre and the largest regeneration project of its kind in Scotland and recognised as one of the most exciting in Europe.
The three development sites on offer at Granton Harbour total approximately 3.94 acres and provide an opportunity to create a scaled residential or mixed-tenure development. They also neighbour the proposed Edinburgh Marina Development, which comprises a 429-boat marina, serviced apartments, new housing, commercial and retirement living complexes.
There are also proposals for a future tram extension running along the Granton Waterfront, forming part of a new Granton circular route.
The sites are allocated for housing development under the approved Granton Harbour Masterplan. The overall Granton Waterfront Development provides over 60 acres of newly developed and regenerated land, supported with an investment of over £1.3 billion.
Joint sales agents for the development sites are Scarlett Land and Development and Reith Lambert.
Will Scarlett from Scarlett Land and Development said: “We are incredibly excited to be bringing these eight well recognised sites to market.
“The portfolio provides a rare opportunity in Edinburgh to deliver large scale residential development across multiple tenures and we anticipate strong interest noting this potential.“
Drew Lambert from Reith Lambert said: “Large-scale prime residential sites such as this are a rarity in Edinburgh; these sites are ideally placed, with an excellent range of amenities and well-connected transport links on offer.”
Restoration work will now begin on the iconic gasholder, which sits at the heart of a planned new sustainable coastal town at Granton Waterfront.
A report approved by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Finance and Resources Committee yesterday (10 November) recommended McLaughlin & Harvey Limited carry out the work, which it’s anticipated will start in January and is due for completion in 2024.
The future vision for the space within the restored gasholder is to have multi-sensory play zones, a dedicated space for permanent and temporary public art, relaxation area, outdoor trails and tracks for exercise as well as using a large outdoor space for sports, markets, seasonal events, community use, festivals, performance arts, exhibitions and play.
Work will also be carried out to plant trees, shrubs and wildflowers improving biodiversity and local habitat in the area.
Council leader Cammy Day said: “I’m delighted with the committee decision. Our plan is to transform the structure, the centrepiece of our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront, into a visitor destination with high quality open space for everyone to enjoy.
“Using money received from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund the contractor can crack on now and get spades in the ground to do the restoration work required and we’re in the process of trying to secure the additional funding we need to deliver the high quality open space element. We’ve also submitted a planning application for this exciting next stage to make sure we’re ready to go ahead when we get the funding that we need.
“The wider regeneration is about using brownfield land to develop a sustainable 20-minute neighbourhood it’s residents will be proud of. It will be an area where people live in affordable environmentally friendly homes, have excellent transport and active travel links and access to lots of open and green space, arts, sports and culture. Restoring the gasholder is the first step in unlocking the wider regeneration.”
The project will benefit from £16.4m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
People Know How and Edinburgh Palette are delighted to present the Connect Four space, a space for cross-sectoral collaboration and social innovation that is now open to new tenant enquiries from any groups or organisations looking for office space.
On Thursday 24 November, we’re opening our doors to the public for our Connect Four Open House at 1 Waterfront Avenue. All are welcome to come and get a first look at the space, from prospective tenants looking to lease desk space to those interested in learning more about the Connect Four ethos.
Located in the heart of North Edinburgh’s evolving Waterfront area, this beautiful bright space has views across the city skyline and the Firth of Forth and boasts a broad range of amenities including access to a café, bookable meeting space, break-out spaces, and more.
Within this space we aim to connect four by bringing organisations and groups together across the four sectors (third, public, academic and business). By working alongside one another, we will create an environment that is conducive to social innovation through new collaborations, opportunities and ideas that can solve social issues across Scotland.
Office Manager Alex Derbyshire said: “We’re very excited to welcome new tenants to this beautiful space and are looking forward to sharing more information about the space and our Connect Four ethos during our open house.”
Our Eventbrite is now live for you to book your free ticket.
The space will be open to visitors between 10:00am and 3:00pm, with a special session about Connect Four taking place at 10:30am.
Book your free ticket: https://connect-four-open-house.eventbrite.co.uk
Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has won a commendation at the Herald Property Awards 2022 in the Affordable Housing Development of the Year category (sponsored by NHBC) for its Heron Place development.
Heron Place was also shortlisted for the Scottish Home Awards 2022 and nominated for Architecture: Regeneration Heron Place at the Scottish Design Awards 2022.
The development situated at Granton Harbour consists of 46 homes for social rent, including two wheelchair accessible flats, and 58 homes for mid market rent. The construction and design team comprised of CCG (Scotland) Ltd, architects Hackland and Dore, structural engineer Bayne Stevenson Associates Ltd and M&E engineer The Keenan Consultancy.
The Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2022 honoured the achievements of Scotland’s most innovative and successful home and commercial builders, developers, agents, interior designers and registered social landlords. The awards took place on Thursday, September 29 at the Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow.
The Affordable Housing Development of the Year category was open to registered social housing providers, charities, trusts or public bodies in partnership with a local authority and/or a developer for rent and/or shared ownership.
The judges were looking for evidence of how the development has impacted positively on the lives of local residents and contributed towards the regeneration of the area. Consideration was given to the use of sustainable materials and building techniques, as well as the development’s impact on the local environment.
Heather Kiteley, Group Chief Executive of PoLHA, said: “We’re proud that Heron Place is thriving within the Granton waterfront community with sustainable, affordable homes and brilliant communities.
“Receiving a commendation for Best Affordable Housing Development at the Herald Property Awards on top of our shortlist at the Scottish Home Awards 2022 is incredible rewarding.”
Sustainable Granton waterfront development in the running for award
A key element in Edinburgh’s on-going waterfront regeneration programme has been nominated as Scotland’s Best Affordable Housing Development at the prestigious Herald Property Awards ceremony to be held next month in Glasgow.
The Heron Place development at Granton Harbour, completed by Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) and its subsidiary Persevere Developments in 2021, consists of 46 homes for social rent, including two wheelchair accessible flats, and 58 homes for mid market rent.
The development is being recognised for the finish of the homes, the stunning views it affords of the water and Edinburgh Marina, and its sustainability. It has achieved the lowest possible Environmental Impact Rating, contains high quality insulation and is fitted with air quality monitors throughout.
Heron Place’s contractor was CCG and the architect was Hackland + Dore. Bayne Stevenson Associates were the structural engineer, and The Keenan Consultancy was the M&E engineer.
Heather Kiteley, Group Chief Executive, Port of Leith Housing Association, said: “We’re all very proud of the extent to which Heron Place has already become a thriving element of the rapidly evolving Granton waterfront community, providing first-class, sustainable affordable homes and brilliant communities.
“Being shortlisted for Best Affordable Housing Development at the Herald Property Awards is the icing on the cake for us.”
Manuela Molendini, Associate Director, Hackland + Dore Architects, said: “We are delighted with the shortlisting of Heron Place, a successful outcome of productive team working and community engagement, resulting in a comprehensive regeneration and improvement of the site and of wider Western Granton.
“The mixed-tenure development provides a well-integrated placemaking solution that meets housing targets, delivers a strategic environment and a sustainable neighbourhood where communities feel connected and can thrive.”
The development is a key element of PoLHA’s ambitious plans to deliver more than 600 high-quality, affordable homes by 2025. You can read more about this in its strategic plan polha.co.uk/2025.
An Edinburgh College student has won a creative competition to design a number of posters showcasing projects taking place across Granton and will now have his work on display at the site of the iconic Granton gasometer.
Seventeen-year-old George Kershaw won the creative competition to have his designs displayed at the site of the Granton gas tower, which received significant investment last year to turn the structure into an illuminating landmark which lights up the skyline in the area.
The Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) Design student was named the winner of the competition, after the city council challenged his class to come up with a series of designs to help promote projects and events that have happened in the area, such as the Hidden Doors Festival, COP 26 Climate conference, Diwali celebrations and more.
The iconic gas tower located in the Granton Waterfront area is a beacon of light on the Edinburgh skyline thanks to the partnership project between the College, the City of Edinburgh Council, and 21CC.
George said: “Whilst I expected to do well in the competition, I knew there were several other talented designers also entering so I was very happy to find out that I had won and gained such a great opportunity. I wasn’t as happy to realise that I had also given myself a lot more work than I bargained for, as the process took several months to complete!
“Edinburgh Council set our class with the challenge of designing several promotional banners for the events centred around the Granton gas tower. My design was chosen and expanded on and finalised by me and my tutor Chris Hamilton until it was ready to be printed.
“This involved many conversations between me and the Council and was also my first experience with the many challenges involved in the design process.
“I hope that I can find more great opportunities like this one to challenge myself and so that I can also come out of university with a portfolio full of amazing work, which will help me gain employment at a top design agency once I’ve finished my studies.”
Edinburgh College Assistant Principal for Creative Industries Jakki Jeffery said: “This was an excellent opportunity for the FA Creative Digital Media (Graphics) students to work on a live industry brief from our partnership with Edinburgh Council and 21CC lighting up the iconic Granton Gas Tower.
“We were really impressed with the standard of work submitted by all the students, supported by their lecturer Chris. George is a worthy winner and we wish him all the best in his future career.”
City council leader Cammy Day said: “My warmest congratulations to George on his achievement and I’m sure this will be the first of many more to come in his design career.
“This poster campaign will provide a new and dynamic angle to an already iconic Edinburgh landmark. These posters showcase a wide array of local, national and cultural events. Projects like these in conjunction with Edinburgh College represent the Council’s wider commitment to Granton Waterfront and its long-term regeneration.
“This regeneration will spearhead the capital’s response to the climate emergency alongside providing sustainable economic growth and empowering local communities”.
Pictures: Fabio Scalici
