Proposals for another ‘net zero’ housing development, as part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s £1.3bn Granton Waterfront regeneration project, have been granted approval by city planners.
This major milestone follows the start of construction work at the £72m, 444-home ‘Western Villages’ project, which is also part of the local authority’s wider regeneration of the area. Over the next ten years 3,500 mixed-tenure homes and associated infrastructure will create a new, sustainable coastal community.
Hart Builders will start work on site in 2023 at Silverlea to deliver 142 high quality sustainable homes, including wheelchair-accessible ground-floor dwellings in a mix of social rent (91) and mid-market rent (51) each benefitting from coastal views and access to parkland.
Cllr Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “I’m delighted with today’s decision. We’ve reached another major milestone on our Granton Waterfront project to deliver much needed sustainable affordable housing in the area. I recently visited our Western Villages development nearby and was very pleased to see we’re already starting work there to deliver 444 net zero homes on the site.
The homes that we build here will make such a difference for wheelchair users and others who find it so difficult to get a home that meets their needs. Our proposals for the site have been carefully designed to improve the quality of the surrounding green space and to make it easier for people to walk or cycle around the area.
Councillor Jane Meagher, the city council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, writes:
After a slowdown during the pandemic, it’s great to see so much work underway to build the new affordable and sustainable homes our growing city needs.
Last week I had the pleasure of marking the site start for our newest housing development – Western Villages at the new Granton Waterfront. Spanning a site the same size as the New Town, this regeneration of the waterfront really is going to create a brand new coastal community.
This is growth which will benefit those who already live in the area and the city as a whole and I have to say, it’s incredible to watch the start of construction. There is a team of people working extremely hard so that, over the next decade, we’ll see drastic change and thousands of people move into beautiful new homes.
They will join a 20-minute neighbourhood where they can shop, socialise, and access support. With our partners we’re investing millions in the area, including the fantastic gas works holder, which will become an amazing spectacle; a home for events and a glowing beacon for North Edinburgh below everyone who flies into the city.
I am strongly committed to doing what I can to secure more affordable homes for Edinburgh. Over 150 households bid for every Council and housing association home that becomes available so that’s why we’re driving forward with building new affordable homes on sites across the city.
Close to Granton, in nearby Pennywell and Muirhouse, new homes and a new civic centre are taking shape. We’re also investing in improving existing homes with major works underway in both multi storey blocks and low-rise housing.
As the city grows, the demand we are seeing for affordable and social homes is only going to increase. That is a reality we must face, not least with the country in the grip of a cost-of-living crisis and fears of recession on the horizon.
It’s why it’s critical the Council and its partners press ahead with a truly ambitious and forward-thinking housebuilding strategy and it’s why we must continue to make the case for increased investment in this programme to the Scottish Government. Our capital city, after all, is per head the lowest funded local authority in Scotland.
The way we’re building homes is also changing, with innovative measures being used to reduce energy. Western Villages is a great example of that, as Scotland’s largest net zero development. We want the whole city to become net zero carbon by 2030 so we are committing to ‘build smarter’ and create new homes which are greener and use eco-friendly technology.
This construction work is also helping to boost and create new jobs and apprenticeships which will further help us to support people into employment and keep our economy resilient, which is particularly significant after the impacts of Covid.
The future is challenging, but together with developers and others we are doing everything within our powers to make it fairer on residents and on our environment. We’ll keep working to tackle our housing pressures and deliver these affordable and sustainable new homes.
This article first appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News
Proposals for a significant mixed-use development in Falkland and an extensive range of new facilities for the village are set to go out for public consultation.
Scotch Whisky Investments (SWI) is bringing forward proposals for the delivery of a mixed-use development in Falkland. The Falkland development forms part of a multi-million-pound investment in Fife, including a single malt Scotch whisky storage and bottling facility in Glenrothes.
The international business, which is involved in the whisky asset management sector, has a license to offer financial investment products in the form of bottles and casks of single malt Scotch whisky issued by the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets (AFM).
SWI seeks to showcase the history of, and educate people about single malt Scotch whisky, as well as promote investment in the commodity.
SWI is seeking to deliver a mixed-use development in Falkland at the former St John’s Works site, located to the south of the village. This includes proposals for a new iconic corporate headquarters building with restaurants, museum and serviced accommodation and extensive community facilities for Falkland.
The development will deliver significant investment, creating employment and tourism opportunities for the village.
The 3.64-hectare St John’s Work’s site was formerly a linoleum factory and then taken over by Smith Anderson, a manufacturer of paper bags, before its closure in 2013, after which it was demolished.
This headquarters building aims to act as a centrepiece for learning about and showcasing single malt Scotch whisky, as well as providing a place of hospitality for worldwide investors in this commodity. Designed to house the worldwide administrative functions of the company itself, the intent is that the site will have stature and status with global appeal.
The Scottish Government has suspended in-person public consultation events due to COVID-19.
Full details about the proposals will be available to the public at 9 am on Tuesday 2 August on the dedicated project website:
An online consultation for Falkland will take place between 3 pm and 8 pm on Tuesday 2 August.
A second in-person public consultation for the Falkland event will be held on Wednesday, 14 September, between 4.30 pm and 7.30 pm, at Falkland Community Hall, Back Wynd, Falkland, Fife KY15 7BX.
If you cannot access the exhibition boards on the day of the event, please contact Orbit Communications at Falkland@orbitconsultations.scot or on 0131 202 3259 or at 4 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JE, and we can arrange for them to reach you in an alternative manner.
A spokesperson at SWI said:“We’re delighted to be giving the public the chance to have a say on our development proposals at Falkland.
“This exciting development provides much-needed investment in the community with a globally recognised headquarters for Scotch Whisky Investments.
“We are consulting extensively to ensure that that the public have an opportunity to input their views and shape our proposals. We encourage the community to attend, raise any questions they may have and provide feedback.”
A new residential development opportunity has been launched at Blindwells, the East Lothian scheme which is on course to deliver a community of 1,600 homes as well as employment land and a new town centre
Plot 4a is being marketed by the Edinburgh office of JLL on behalf of Blindwells’ creator, Hargreaves Land.
Planning permission in principle has been granted for residential purposes on the 7.2 acre site and a development of c.140 properties is proposed. Adjacent to a plot earmarked for business use, as well as what will become the new town centre, plot 4a lies in a raised area with views over the Firth of Forth, making it a highly appealing opportunity for the right development partner.
A number of other housebuilders are already on site and the first Blindwells residents moved in at the start of the year. Bellway is in the process of completing 146 homes and Cruden is due to finish the final phase of 60 affordable homes later this summer for East Lothian Council. Ogilvie Homes is expected to commence construction of 77 properties before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, work by Persimmon Homes is progressing towards the creation of 197 homes including 30 which will be classified affordable.
The new opportunity follows three planning approvals by East Lothian Council Planning Committee in June, allowing Hargreaves Land to press ahead and progress major parts of the site infrastructure.
Once complete, the town centre, which will feature a car-free high street with shops, cafes and a supermarket, will provide a 21st century quality of life with modern touches flanked by open areas of natural beauty, including Princes Loch and community green space.
Jonathan Graham, development surveyor at Hargreaves Land said: “Our vision for Blindwells is rapidly taking shape and we’re excited to be looking for a housebuilder to bring yet another plot to life.
“The indicative layout earmarked for this plot has a mix of two, three and four bedroom houses, plus two apartment blocks, and we expect a lot of interest.”
Jason Hogg, director at JLL, added: “Less than 15 minutes from Edinburgh Waverley station, Blindwells will further add to the excellent quality of life already on offer in East Lothian, with outstanding beaches, coastal towns and villages, walking routes, world class golf courses and restaurants all within easy reach.
“Crucial to its creation are the many respected construction partners involved in giving the scheme a varied selection of house types, all offering an impeccable standard of living, and we look forward to talking to interested parties in the weeks ahead in regard to this latest plot.”
The key takeaway from this Forecast, which focuses on the next three years (2022-2024) indicates the construction industry will face challenging economic conditions.
However, whilst growth will be stifled in 2022 (-2%), 2023 is predicted to see a modest 8% increase and a smaller 2% lift in 2024, representing an average rise of 2.6% over the Forecast period.
This report is predominantly focused on underlying starts (< £100m in value), unless otherwise stated, and contains a comprehensive overview of the current state of the construction industry. Crucially, it provides overall sector and vertical-specific insight into performance over the next few years.
Significant disruption stifles short-term growth
The next few years will be challenging for the construction industry as a whole. The war in the Ukraine is creating considerable economic uncertainty which is having a direct, current effect on output, derailing post-COVID recovery. As a result, overall project starts are forecast to slip back 2%.
Aside from this ongoing conflict, current inflation spikes, higher taxes and rising mortgage costs are expected to constrain activity in consumer-related areas, such as private housing, retail and hotel & leisure.
In contrast, a firm development pipeline is predicted to lift industrial and office starts in 2022, as well as Government-funded areas such as education, health and community & amenity.
More positively, the value of project starts is expected to rise in 2023, as the UK economy stabilises and short-term supply chain pressure ease. However the lingering impact of higher construction, material and energy costs means this growth will be significantly lower than predicted in previous forecasts.
Housing Starts Depressed
Although a buoyant housing marked helped to lift new housebuilding activity in 2021, with starts rising 26%, this recent surge is fading.
Predicted to drop 5% in 2022, following the removal of temporary Stamp Duty relief and dwindling homebuyer confidence, higher taxes and mortgage costs, housebuilders are expected to moderate project starts and focus on building out developments already on-site.
However, this slowdown appears temporary, with a renewed build-for-sale starts recovery anticipated in the second half of the Forecast period, rising 14% in 2023 and 1% in 2024, as household financial positions and UK economic prospects improve. Furthermore, a strong development pipeline has also be registered for Build-to-Rent starts, following a productive 12 months in 2021.
Bright spots for non-residential work
Industrial starts, particularly warehouse and logistics, are set to remain a growth area, building on the ever-increasing appetite for online retail, which accelerated during the pandemic. With e-commerce expected to be a significant growth market in the coming years, 2022 will see start value increase by 11%.
However, the online shopping boost has hit physical retail hard, with high street and outlet footfall remaining far lower than pre-pandemic levels. Unsurprisingly, lower consumer spending power, an overhang of empty retail premises and a greater share of the market moving online, means growth will be tempered over the Forecast period. Here, increased investment by the deep discount supermarkets, Aldi and Lidl, will be the primary drivers of the predicted 6% average uplift between 2022 and 2024.
The leisure and hospitality sector, hit hard by the pandemic, is also only set to expect modest recovery over the Forecast period due to reduced consumer discretionary spending during a tighter economic climate.
Moving from play to work, office starts bounced back sharply last year (+27%) and are predicted to benefit over the forecast period (av. +11%). This potential growth can be attributed to a rise in refurbishment projects as tenants and landlords adapt premises to accommodate changing working practices. However, new build office projects will likely be slower to recover as tenants and developers assess the effects of the shift towards remote and hybrid working on the long-term demand for office accommodation.
Public Sector Pick-Up
Public sector investment is set to be an important driver for construction activity over the Forecast period. However, the latest Spending Review revealed only modest growth in capital funding for a handful of central Government departments over the next three years.
Whilst the value of social housing starts is set to dip almost 10% this year, following a 15% surge in 2021, the vertical is predicted to rally for the remainder of the Forecast period, helped by a strong pipeline of already approved projects commencing on site.
Education construction is a vertical predicted to grow significantly over the next few years (av. +8%), partly driven by the Government’s commitment to building 500 new schools over the next decade. This is supported by a modest rise in universities capital spending during the second half of the Forecast period
The outlook for the health sector is also brightening. Starts remained high in 2021 post-Pandemic and the increase in capital funding and a growing development pipeline means the value of starts are expected to remain steady over the Forecast period, will slight declines this year (-5%) and next (-6%) .
Focusing on civils and infrastructure, a significant funding increase in areas such as roads, especially to address the maintenance backlog on the nation’s local roads, is helping to lift the value of project starts.
Investment in rail projects and utilities development, as well as ongoing work on major infrastructural projects such as Thames Tideway, HS2 and Hinkley Point are also set to support vertical activity over the Forecast period.
Commenting on the Forecast, Glenigan’s economic director Allan Wilen says, “Circumstances have changed significantly since the November 2021 Forecast and, whilst the short-term picture appears challenging, we should adopt a sanguine approach for the next few years.
“Markets sent into turmoil by the Russia-Ukraine War are starting to stabilise as new supply chain solutions are developed and established.
“Of course, in the near future construction and building product costs will remain high. However this situation will no doubt encourage a burst of imagination and innovation which will see the sector weather the current storm and progress to, if not sunny uplands, then at least towards a trajectory of upward growth.”
To download Glenigan’s UK Construction Industry Forecast 2022-2024 click here.
To find out more about Glenigan, its expert insight and leading market analysis, click here.
Edmond de Rothschild Real Estate Management to Forward Fund First Phase of 110 Build-to-Rent Apartments
Drum Property Group’s ambitious vision for the long-awaited redevelopment of a key site on Leith Walk, Edinburgh, is now to be realised with on-site construction starting in July 2022.
Drum’s proposals for Stead’s Place, near the foot of Leith Walk, were approved by the City of Edinburgh Council in 2021 heralding a major regeneration of the 2.9-acre site and bringing much-needed investment to this important part of the city.
The Stead’s Place site has been earmarked for development by the Council since 2008 and consisted largely of an aged industrial estate and office space, together with a two-storey red sandstone building facing directly on to Leith Walk.
With refurbishment of the red sandstone building nearing completion, Drum has cleared the Stead’s Place site to the rear and, in the first phase of construction, will build 110 high-quality build-to-rent apartments for Edmond de Rothschild Real Estate Investment Management (REIM), who have agreed to forward-fund the development.
The apartments will be completed by spring 2024. The Stead’s Place apartments represent the second Scottish investment for the firm, having forward funded a build-to-rent development of 114 apartments in Finnieston, at Drum’s G3 Square development in December 2021.
Graeme Bone, Group Managing Director of Drum said: “The start of construction of the new apartments represents another significant step forward in the long-awaited regeneration of the Stead’s Place site.
“Once completed, the apartments will be a huge boost to the area and to local businesses, bringing life and access to what has been an inhospitable site, and delivering much-needed homes for local people.”
The Edmond de Rothschild Residential Investment Fund UK, which invests in the private rented sector (PRS) on behalf of European institutional investors, was launched in August 2018 and to date has raised equity commitments of £320m.
Charlie Miller, co-head of residential in the UK and director of residential transactions at Edmond de Rothschild REIM, said: “Stead’s Place is an excellent opportunity to establish the fund’s first development in Edinburgh and second in Scotland.
“We will provide high-quality rental accommodation at affordable levels in line with the strategy for the fund. Edinburgh is the sixth most competitive financial centre in Europe, second in the UK behind London and has six universities, a diverse economy and a thriving tourist market – all contributing to exceptionally strong demand for homes to rent”.
The final phase of construction at Stead’s Place will start at the end of the year, and will comprise of 38 affordable homes, owned and operated by registered social landlord, Hillcrest Homes, completing the attractive landscaped residential scheme linking Leith Walk to Pilrig Park and beyond.
David Milton, Development Manager at Hillcrest Homes said, “Stead’s Place provides the opportunity to deliver 23 new social-rented homes and 15 mid-rented homes, all of which will be allocated to those in housing need.
“The Social Rented homes will deliver a good mix of one, two and three bed apartments and we are particularly pleased to be delivering family sized homes in this location.
“There is a continuing unmet demand for affordable homes across Edinburgh and this development will help meet this demand and provide high quality, energy efficient new homes to those who need them the most.”
The start of construction is the culmination of five years of research, planning and local community engagement by Drum since the company first purchased the site in 2017. For more information about Drum Property Group’s redevelopment of the Stead’s Place site, visit www.steads-place.com
Join us for an online information event about a planning application for a major development at Fountainbridge. This exciting project involves the landmark regeneration of a brownfield former brewery site, which is uniquely positioned on the Union Canal in Edinburgh.
The online community event is on Thursday 30 June, between 3pm and 7pm.
The development team, including representatives from Cruden and Buccleuch Property, will be available online to answer your questions and listen to your views through a dedicated chat system https://orbitconsultations.scot/fountainbridge/
Artisan Real Estate’s wholesale commitment to sustainable residential development across the UK has been recognised with its Edinburgh-based Rowanbank Gardens development being nominated for a prestigious national accolade geared to tackling climate crisis.
Rowanbank Gardens, in the bustling Edinburgh suburb of Corstorphine, has been shortlisted for the best residential Climate Crisis Initiative for the 2022 RESI Awards, which recognises excellence in UK-wide residential property.
The award nomination reflects Artisan’s continued multi-million investment in fossil-fuel free regeneration-based residential projects in key regional city centres across the UK – with major developments currently taking place in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Bristol.
Due for completion in 2023, Rowanbank Gardens provides immaculate environmental credentials creating a spectacular blueprint for low-carbon living. The industry-leading sustainable development, replacing a former care home on a brownfield site, is set to deliver 126 high quality apartments all with private gardens and balconies set around a shared courtyard garden in a well-connected central location.
Welcoming the RESI Climate Crisis Initiative award nomination, Clive Wilding, Artisan’s Group Development Director said: “I am absolutely delighted that Rowanbank Gardens has won national recognition for its bold ambition to tackle the very real challenges of climate change which are currently facing our industry.
“As a niche developer, Artisan Real Estate has always striven for improvement by creating a lower carbon footprint in the homes and buildings we create – not just in delivery but throughout their multi-generational lifespan.
“Rowanbank Gardens is the latest manifestation of Artisan’s stated commitment towards a radical improvement in its development cycle to create the lowest possible carbon footprint in the residential buildings that the company creates. With innovations such as green roofs, it brings together smart energy-efficient design geared to achieving low to zero carbon ratings whilst responding to the rapidly changing requirements of home buyers and the wider community post-Covid.”
He added: “The evolution of Rowanbank Gardens shows that, as well as reducing urban sprawl by optimising the number of people living in well-designed sustainable homes in well-connected locations served by public transport, we are also pioneering the application of innovative technology to eliminate the use of fossil fuels whilst vastly reducing energy consumption.”
Fuelled by a desire to transform brownfield city centre sites into sustainable, contemporary and low carbon homes developments, Artisan’s residential developments are creating a progressive residential blueprint which has a timely resonance for post-lockdown living across the UK.
As well as Rowanbank Gardens, this has also helped shaped the delivery of the 179-apartment Canonmills Garden development, overlooking the Water of Leith to the north of Edinburgh’s city centre which is now nearing completion.
The development has pioneered the integration of low and zero carbon generating technology, incorporating green roofs as well as a combined heat and power system helping to support building energy loads whilst charging electric vehicles, reducing both building and transport CO2 emissions.
Artisan is also delivering the Kirkstall Place development in Leeds, providing 263 family homes designed to meet low carbon and non-fossil fuel standards together with substantial amounts of external space, providing a wide range of biodiversity.
The winners of the 2022 RESI Awards will be revealed on Wednesday 11th May at a live ceremony in London.
A selection of four-bedroom townhouses and a three bedroom mews home available in first release at Royal Blind School site
THE FIRST release of homes at the anticipated redevelopment of Edinburgh’s former Royal Blind School and Braille Press will launch to market this weekend (26th of February).
Launching from its existing Cammo Meadows development, Cala Homes (East) has confirmed that the first release of four bedroom townhouses along with a three bedroom mews home – will be available for interested buyers, with prices ranging from £810,000 to £849,995.
Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s popular Newington area, Newington Residences by Cala Homes (East) will comprise a modern reimagining of the striking original school building into 21 apartments and a further mix of new build townhouses.
Regarded as one of south Edinburgh’s best-known buildings, the original school building dates back to 1874 and has been left vacant since 2014 after pupils were relocated to a new facility.
Cala will take it back to its former glory – removing extensions and outbuildings to revitalise its surrounds.
Building on the success of its award-winning conversion of the nearby former Boroughmuir High School, the developer will refurbish the historic main building into a selection of 21 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with selection of new build townhouses a mews home and the fully refurbished gate house also featuring within the school’s attractive landscaped grounds.
Philip Hogg, Sales Director for CALA Homes (East), said: “This is a really exciting development for us, in one of Edinburgh’s most desirable postcodes.
“There’ll be a great mix of homes likely to appeal to a broad range of discerning buyers looking for high specification finishes and a tranquil location within easy reach of the city centre and the amenities Edinburgh has to offer.
“We believe the attractive renovation at the heart will give the development real character and charm, while preserving a historic local landmark.”
The development, within the Craigmillar Park conservation area has been carefully designed to respect the surrounding area, with new build homes boasting beautiful sandstone detail in keeping with local architecture and facades of the main building.
Townhouses will range from 1600 to more than 2700 square feet, with a mix of semi-detached and terraced properties.
Sporting ceiling heights of up to 3.4 metres and many with views of Edinburgh castle and the city skyline, the apartments will see the creation of modern open-plan homes, maximising the features of the existing building, whilst delivering contemporary design, high specification and convenience with the addition of lift access to upper floors.
The first buyers are planned to move in from summer 2022, with show homes launching in April.
For more information on Newington Residences – and to register your interest – visit:
