Tag: Granton Harbour

More than 300 affordable homes come to Granton

Harbour Homes has worked in partnership with Cairn Housing Association to create 306 new affordable homes at Granton Harbour on Chestnut Street, Chestnut Wynd, Hesperus Crossway, Hesperus Terrace and West Harbour Road.

This includes 96 homes for social rent by Harbour Homes and 130 properties for mid market rent by Harbour Lettings. The remaining 80 properties are social rent homes provided by Cairn Housing Association.

A seven-bedroom independent living home and office space with an adjoining one-bedroom flat has also been opened by Dean and Cauvin Young People’s Trust to support people in the care system.

Dean and Cauvin provide accommodation for young people (from ages 15-21) as well as supporting their transition to living independently.

Following an event for new tenants to meet each other and find out more about what’s happening in the community,  Heather Kiteley, Chief Executive of Harbour Homes, said: “Everyone at Harbour is very proud of the many years of hard work and dedication which has gone into creating these fantastic new homes.

“With brilliant communal gardens and courtyards, breath-taking views over the Firth of Forth and great public transport links to the city, I know our tenants will be happy in their new homes and will play a part in the new communities which are flourishing along Granton’s waterfront.

“It was a joy to work with Cairn and other partners to make this ambitious project a reality.”

Audrey Simpson, Cairn’s Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Harbour Homes and other key stakeholders to bring much-needed affordable housing to Granton.

“These new homes are a testament to what can be achieved when organisations work together with a shared vision. Thanks to Harbour Homes and to everyone involved for their dedication and hard work. We are confident that our new tenants will thrive in this vibrant community.”

Councillor Jane Meagher, Edinburgh’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Edinburgh’s council housing stock was devastated by the Right to Buy policy meaning only 14% of homes in our city today are social housing, compared to a Scottish average of 23%.

“We desperately need to work on reversing this trend as we work with developers and social landlords to tackle our city’s Housing Emergency.

“At Granton Harbour, there has been an impressive effort to create over 300 new affordable homes in total, almost 60% of which will be for social rent. Hundreds of people are now moving into good quality and genuinely affordable housing as a result, which is well worth celebrating”

Prime Waterfront residential development sites for sale at Western Harbour and Granton Harbour

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.”

PoLHA wins commendation at the Herald Property Awards 2022 for Heron Place development

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.”

Port of Leith’s Heron Place shortlisted for housing award

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. 

Discover Sailing with Royal Forth Yacht Club

We are excited to announce that the RFYC will once more open its doors to the public for #DiscoverSailing!

This is your chance to try out sailing – visit your friendly local sailing club, and spend a day by and on the water.

#RFYCSummer

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our #DiscoverSailing Organiser, Torben, via discoversailing@royalforth.org.

See you on the 29th of May at RFYC!

Affordable Granton Harbour homes shortlisted for Scottish Home Awards

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) alongside Hackland + Dore Architects have been shortlisted in two categories in the Scottish Home Awards 2022.

The categories are ‘Affordable Housing Development of the Year’ and ‘Housing Regeneration Project of the Year’ in recognition of their Heron Place affordable development in north Edinburgh.  

The shortlisted development is situated at Granton Harbour and makes up a stretch of the city’s large-scale waterfront regeneration programme. In total there are 46 homes for social rent, including two wheelchair accessible flats, and 58 homes for mid market rent within the development. The mid market rent flats are delivered by Persevere Developments Ltd, a subsidiary of PoLHA.  

The development of Heron Place contributes to the city’s waterfront regeneration by transforming derelict land into a sustainable neighbourhood and addressing local housing needs.

Community activities have been arranged for new residents and locals such as organised walks, courtyard events, and visits to nearby Wardie Bay beach. Tenants have also been involved in gardening within the development’s central courtyard. 

Heather Kiteley, PoLHA Group Chief Executive said: “It is wonderful to see residents of Heron Place enjoying their homes and adding to the community at Granton Harbour.

“The development with its friendly courtyard is a joy to visit and I am proud of all those who have been involved in its planning and development as well as the ongoing engagement with those who live there.

“I look forward to seeing the waterfront regeneration programme continue to unfold in the months and years to come.”  

Manuela Molendini, Hackland + Dore Architects Associate Director said: “Working collaboratively with PoLHA and CCG, Hackland + Dore Architects have delivered a sensitive design response, focussing on the positive impact on the local community through a range of urban and economic improvements.

“The enhancement of the ‘Public Realm’, comprises of accessible amenity space with high quality landscaping, while expanding connections to the existing marina with a network of paths for pedestrians and cyclists promotes sustainable travel. 

“Heron Place is a sustainable response to a brownfield site. The mixed-tenure development provides a comprehensive well integrated placemaking solution that meets housing targets, and delivers a neighbourhood where communities feel connected and can thrive.” 

Port of Leith Housing Association has 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.  

Storm Arwen: Community comes to the aid of stricken log boat

Storm #Arwen tossed the Iron age logboat around and damaged the side. Granton:hub received reports that the boat, which was moored in #Granton #harbour, was in danger.

A big community effort resulted in the boat being paddled away from the harbour wall. Volunteers then pulled it across onto the shore where it is now safe from any further storms.

There will be a repair carried out with the School of Ancient Crafts following ancient methods so an update will follow.

In the meantime we would like to thank everyone for their kind support. Without the local community this would not have been possible.

Granton:Hub

Wardie Bay’s Seal of Approval on Star Wars Day!

Harbour (common) seal numbers are declining in some parts of Scotland by up to 95%. The Fife Seal Group counted just 100 individuals in the Firth of Forth in 2019 and have stated a decline here of 40% since the 1990s (writes KAREN BATES of WARDIE BAY BEACHWATCH).

Numbers did not improve in 2021. Over the Covid-19 crisis, we have seen a notable increase in wildlife disturbance at Wardie Bay and Granton Harbour.

Indeed, the story is the same all around the coast, prompting Marine Scotland to publish new guidance for interacting with seals. We are understandably reconnecting with nature on our doorstep and may not be aware of the effect of getting too close to wildlife such as seals.

At Granton Harbour and beyond, the situation for harbour seals has become serious enough that signage has become necessary to help inform those not aware of the consequences of their actions.

Our pontoons are designated for wildlife conservation in this special protection area. Local people have responded by collaboratively creating a sign to help inform visitors and nudge away from behaviour that is causing the ‘flight’ response in the local seal population.

There is enough danger out there for this species. We do not need to cause them more harm. They clearly want to use the designated platform provided for them, but not when humans threaten to get too close.

The #SaveOurSealsSign challenge was sent out to four local primary schools: Wardie, Granton, Trinity and Victoria. 117 children returned some amazing and fun designs.

The public and a panel of seal experts were invited to vote on their favourites to be made into a final sign, which was installed yesterday – May the 4th, Star Wars Day.

The final #SaveOurSealsSign is a collage of the top three voted for designs. Congratulations to Sumaira (Trinity P7), Ella (Wardie P3) and Izzie (Trinity P7) and all the children and teachers for their fantastic work.

Huge thanks go to Kevin of TRAC engineering for coordinating the installation, to Steve and Sarah at Glasgow’s Logo Labels Ltd for their experience and for making the sign for us, and to Sam, Marion and Gregory of P1 Solutions for installing it!

They definitely get the Seal of Approval!

Logo Labels said, “We are proud to help bring awareness of issues in the greater community.

“As a lover of wildlife, owner Stephen McNeil jumped at the chance to help manufacture a sign to support this cause and make people aware of the issue for seals that inhabit the area”.

Wardie Bay Beachwatch said: “We now hope that people will see what local kids have to say, so that we can all enjoy these amazing animals – from a distance – for many years to come. May the 4th be with you!”

PICTURES: KAREN BATES

Revised plans submitted for Granton marina

Plans submitted for revised infrastructure layout at Edinburgh Marina (Granton Harbour) in ‘significant change to the masterplan’, says The Cockburn Association, Edinburgh’s civic trust.

You can view and comment here on the Planning Portal: https://bit.ly/3nh8n8T

The last date for comments is 5th February 2021

Granton walking tour this Sunday

The Madelvic History Group is pleased to announce the launch of the escorted Curious Edinburgh walk, with participants leaving from Madelvic House and accompanied by local historians, sharing their fascinating local insights.
The forthcoming dates are Sunday 14th of April and Sunday 12th May.
Participation is free of charge. Meet at Madelvic House, for 12.00, start at 12.30 with the tour lasting approximately 2 hours, depending on weather and total number of participants.
Highlights of the tour will be Granton Harbour and Granton Castle Walled Garden. Alternative plans will be in place in case of adverse weather conditions.
If you are interested in taking part then please e-mail
w.black@blueyonder.co.uk
Address: Madelvic House, Granton Park Avenue, Edinburgh EH5 1HS