Tag: Heron Place

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. 

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.  

A hundred new affordable waterfront homes for Granton

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) and its subsidiary Persevere Developments Ltd (PDL) are marking Scottish Housing Day 2021 today by celebrating the opening of 104 affordable homes on Edinburgh’s waterfront.

The properties at Heron Place, Heron View, Heron Lane and Hesperus Crossway are situated at Granton Harbour and make up a stretch of the city’s large-scale waterfront regeneration programme. 

The development has been designed with existing and new communities in mind and has a sunlit central courtyard which residents will be able to enjoy together. In total there are 46 homes for social rent, including two wheelchair accessible flats, and 58 homes for mid market rent.

The completion of this development brings the number of affordable homes provided by PoLHA in north Edinburgh to over 3,000. 

Heather Kiteley, Group Chief Executive said: “It was a pleasure to visit our new development on Granton’s waterfront and to meet some of its new residents this Scottish Housing Day.

“The location is close to various paths and networks that interconnect north Edinburgh’s greenspaces. I am sure the community here will enjoy making the most of the city’s coastline and all the sustainable transport options it offers. 

“That Scottish Housing Day is focusing on housing and the climate emergency this year is of personal importance to me. This new development has the lowest Environmental Impact Rating, good insulation, and is fitted with air quality monitors throughout.

“We as an industry have a long way to go to reach net-zero, and I am committed to working closely with colleagues on even more ambitious solutions to the climate challenges we face in the months and years to come.”  

CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “The Granton Waterfront Regeneration is one of the most significant of its kind in Scotland with housing being a key part of the City’s vision for its transformation.

“CCG’s journey at the waterfront began at Heron Place and works continue to be progressed with Port of Leith HA on a further 304 homes on an adjacent development.

“It’s an exciting time for the area and the wider housebuilding programme in Edinburgh and we are delighted to be playing our part as we embark on a further 600+ homes which are set to commence in 2022.” 

Cezary Grabski, 27, works in Customer Operations for Standard Life. Originally from Poland, he is moving from elsewhere in the Granton area, and says: “I feel very lucky to have found this housing association and this beautiful development.

“The flats are brand new, finished to a very high standard, in a great location and with stunning views of the water and Edinburgh Marina.” 

Sarah Watson, 25, a Clerical Officer working with NHS Lothian, is moving to one of the new mid market properties from the Saughton area of the city. Sarah said: “I immediately fell in love with the area and the picture of the flats were to die for!

“I can’t fault anything in regard to the process of applying for a mid market property and would highly recommend anyone to have a look at some for yourself. I can’t wait to move in and make my new flat a home.” 

John Donald, 47, is an Accounts Assessor for the Scottish Legal Aid Board. He is moving from Great Junction Street in Leith and says: “I am delighted to have found this mid market rental property in such a great location. I have lived in private rentals since moving to Edinburgh 16 years ago.

“With my youngest heading to university this year I had been thinking I would probably have to move out of the city to find something more affordable. Thankfully I saw the mid market flats available in this development and I am now excited to be moving into a brand new home in a great and developing part of Edinburgh.” 

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.