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.