A consultation has opened on proposals to deliver new, fit for purpose services and more school places that support Queensferry’s growing population Residents are being asked to share their feedback on new ideas to create a community campus on Burgess Road, bringing together more modern services in a central location
GMI Construction Group has been appointed by Sunderland City Council to deliver a £4.9m extension and upgrade to the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (CESAM), enabling JATCO to commence production of innovative 3-in-1 electric vehicle powertrains for Nissan’s nearby Sunderland plant. This marks a return to the International
The Council’s executive will be asked to consider a report at next week’s committee meeting (Weds 22 January) outlining a range of land disposals across Manchester that will help deliver more than 700 new affordable homes. In 2023/24 the highest level of affordable housing was delivered for a decade, contributing
Manchester City Council’s executive will be asked to approve the ambitious plans to transform Holt Town into a new woodland town in the city of Manchester at a committee meeting next week (Weds 22 January 2025), following positive feedback from comprehensive public consultation last year. Holt Town is a major
Lambeth Council is taking a decisive step towards addressing the borough’s pressing housing needs, launching a search for a Development Partner to deliver 450 new homes across six sites. This ambitious initiative, part of the New Homes 6 (NH6) project, aims to create at least 150 affordable homes to tackle
Following extensive community engagement, a major planning application has been submitted to North Lanarkshire Council for the extraction and remediation works of 200 acres of land at Ravenscraig, marking a major milestone in the regeneration of the former steelworks. Ravenscraig is one of Europe’s largest regeneration and community creation initiatives,
South Quay Regeneration: Breathing New Life into Pembroke’s Historic Heart Pembrokeshire County Council has embarked on an ambitious regeneration programme, awarding Andrew Scott Ltd the transformative redevelopment of the historic South Quay site adjacent to Pembroke Castle. The project, progressing in two distinct phases, promises to revitalise the area with
In the last 12 months, the council has received more than 250 complaints about mould and damp from its social housing tenants Camden Council has forked out more than £4.6m to repair damp, mould and other disrepair issues in its social housing properties in the last year, a new investigation
Proposals for a new major urban park at the former Central Retail Park site have been submitted to planners. Designed in collaboration with landscape architects Planit-IE the investment will transform the long-term brownfield site, delivering a high quality, attractive green space in Manchester’s city centre – while also connecting to the
City of Edinburgh Council unanimously grants planning consent ‘in principle’ for 205-acre west Edinburgh site Plans include space for 7,000 new homes – plus two schools, a hotel and commercial, retail & community facilities. One of the most significant and sustainable urban expansions of Edinburgh in a generation is set
A consultation has opened on proposals to deliver new, fit for purpose services and more school places that support Queensferry’s growing population Residents are being asked to share their feedback on new ideas to create a community campus on Burgess Road, bringing together more modern services in a central location for the whole of Queensferry. Plans for the new project, which have been designed using the findings of past consultations and reports, focus on: The proposals for the hub are part of the Queensferry Living Well Locally project to help make Queensferry greener, healthier and safer for everyone. The project aligns with the 20-minute neighbourhood strategy to help local people meet most of their daily needs within a short walk, wheel or cycle from their home. Information on further plans to improve walking, wheeling and cycling connections to shops, services, and facilities in the local area will follow as related projects are developed. Councillor Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener, said: With Queensferry’s population continuing to grow, we need more school places to meet demand, while some of our existing community buildings are reaching the end of their usable life and are no longer fit for purpose. We firmly believe that doing nothing is not an option, and we need to invest in local community facilities for today and tomorrow. We are looking to deliver this through a place-based approach that reflects what people in the area want and need. We are keen to hear from as many people as possible who use services in the area. The proposals have been designed partly using the feedback from previous engagement, but we need to make sure they work for everyone. This consultation is a fantastic opportunity to make sure people’s views are heard and considered when plans are developed in more detail. Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener, said: We know from previous engagement that people would like modern community services and facilities in a central location that is easy for people from all over the local area to access. Our ideas for a new community hub on Burgess Road address these issues. The proposals for the new early years centre and expanded primary school have the potential to create a modern learning and development environment for children in Queensferry, while allowing us to provide vital new classroom spaces. The survey is now live on the Consultation Hub and will run until Monday 21st April. A number of in-person events will be held in venues across Queensferry, where officers will be available to discuss plans and listen to people’s views. The first of these will take place on Thursday 6th February at Queensferry Library (12pm – 2pm) and Scotmid Co-Op (4pm – 6pm). Details of further dates and times will be published on the Council’s website and Consultation Hub. Beyond this, the project team is also meeting with local community groups and organisations as part of the consultation process. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction Group has been appointed by Sunderland City Council to deliver a £4.9m extension and upgrade to the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (CESAM), enabling JATCO to commence production of innovative 3-in-1 electric vehicle powertrains for Nissan’s nearby Sunderland plant. This marks a return to the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) for GMI, which originally completed the CESAM manufacturing and research hub in 2019. During the pandemic, CESAM played a vital role as an NHS Nightingale Hospital and later as a mass vaccination centre. This upgrade represents a pivotal step in restoring CESAM to its original purpose – establishing the North East as a leader in advanced manufacturing technology and innovation. The project includes the construction of additional external buildings and modifications to the existing 138,840 sq. ft facility to meet the specific needs of JATCO, a leading Japanese automotive transmission manufacturer. JATCO’s £48.7m investment in the facility will create up to 183 highly skilled jobs, bolstering the UK’s electric vehicle (EV) supply chain. The site will produce 3-in-1 electric powertrains for Nissan’s Sunderland plant, a cornerstone of Nissan’s EV36Zero initiative, a transformative project integrating EV production, renewable energy, and battery manufacturing to establish a global blueprint for the automotive industry’s future. Gary Oates, GMI’s Divisional Managing Director, North East, said: “We’re proud to return to CESAM to deliver this important extension and upgrade on behalf of Sunderland City Council for JATCO. This project is a testament to the quality of our work and highlights our commitment to supporting innovative companies. It also reinforces the North East’s role as a key hub for electric vehicle production and advanced manufacturing.” Michael Mordey, the leader of Sunderland City Council adding: “JATCO’s decision to locate in our city is a testament to Sunderland’s strength as a world-renowned hub for automotive and advanced manufacturing. This investment will benefit our communities and reinforce our reputation as a destination for innovation and growth.” Alan Johnson, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Purchasing for Nissan AMIEO, commented: “This is a fantastic step forward for our world-first EV36Zero plan. Welcoming a key supplier to the North East of England provides a big boost to the efficiency of our supply chain.” Tomoyoshi Sato, JATCO’s CEO, said: “We have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with Nissan and are delighted to bring the manufacture of our 3-in-1 powertrain to the UK. I am grateful for the support of the UK Government, Sunderland City Council, and all others involved in the establishment of JATCO UK.” JATCO joins a cluster of automotive and advanced manufacturing businesses located at IAMP, a joint venture between Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Council. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Council’s executive will be asked to consider a report at next week’s committee meeting (Weds 22 January) outlining a range of land disposals across Manchester that will help deliver more than 700 new affordable homes. In 2023/24 the highest level of affordable housing was delivered for a decade, contributing to the Council’s ambitious housing strategy to deliver at least 10,000 genuinely affordable, Council and Social Rent new homes up to 2032. To further meet this target Manchester City Council will continue to collaborate within the Manchester Housing Providers Partnership – coordinating support and delivering sustainable affordable housing to meet the city’s needs. New housing will help reduce demand on Manchester’s housing register and will be part of the Council’s approach to help reduce homelessness. Legal & General Affordable Homes and L&Q have recently joined the Housing Partnership, broadening capacity and complementing the specialty of existing partners, but also expanding delivery resources over the housing strategy period to 2032. The report outlines the Housing Partnerships plans for ten brownfield sites and how they have been designed to directly address acute local affordable housing demand, providing a broad range of different house types and tenures ranging from specialist supported accommodation, apartments for key workers and right-sizers, along with larger family houses. Following Executive approval, all proposals are expected to conclude pre-application engagement with the Local Planning Authority and for public consultation on the design proposals to commence before construction works begin on site as soon as possible. Various 100% affordable housing land disposals include: Read the exec paper in full to find out more Leader of the Council Bev Craig said: “Building more affordable homes for Manchester residents is one of Manchester City Council’s biggest priorities and we have a massive housebuilding programme under way to build at least 10,000 genuinely affordable, council, social homes. “We know that building these much-needed homes isn’t easy, so we have looked at how we can get the best use from land that the council owns to help us reach ambitious housing strategy. I’m pleased to bring forward the latest examples of where we our building on our land. “We are on track to meet our target, and we have seen more genuinely affordable homes built in the last year than at any other time in more than a decade. This is being done through programmes like this, our own building company This City, Project 500, large regeneration schemes and working to influence the market. We are committed to building the new homes Manchester residents need to thrive.” Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “We are constantly reviewing what land opportunities are at our disposal to build much-need housing across a range of tenures and types to meet demand in a local area. These parcels of land will all deliver the homes we know these communities need, including significant affordable and social housing, but also specialist housing too. We really welcome the accelerated delivery of new social and affordable housing that these sites will enable. “This is in no small part thanks to our strong partnership approach, working closely with Manchester’s housing providers using Council-owned brownfield land, public and government funding, and the expertise of the city’s affordable housing developers to build high quality, low carbon homes for Manchester people.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Manchester City Council’s executive will be asked to approve the ambitious plans to transform Holt Town into a new woodland town in the city of Manchester at a committee meeting next week (Weds 22 January 2025), following positive feedback from comprehensive public consultation last year. Holt Town is a major regeneration opportunity to develop a new mixed use neighbourhood, highly sustainable with thousands of new homes of different types and tenures – from family housing through to age friendly and key worker apartments – incorporating high quality green spaces surrounding a 1km play street spine, provision of new local services, cultural opportunities, and significant affordable workspace. Situated along the Medlock Valley between the bustling areas of Ancoats and New Islington and the dynamic zones of Sportcity and the Etihad Campus, investment in Holt Town will unlock a missing link. The principles of development will take a carbon neutral approach and a people-first ideology that will prioritise active travel options and public transport over car use. Consultation with local people and businesses was undertaken between August and September 2024, including online options and in-person events – as well as workshops with local school pupils from St Anne’s RC primary to develop play space ideas for the community. The engagement opportunities attracted 10,000 website visits and 411 formal responses showing strong support for the vision of a mixed-used residential led neighbourhood outlined in the draft Neighbourhood Development Framework (NDF). Responses to the consultation process include: Following adoption of the draft NDF the Council will now move to the delivery phase to create a green new town within the city of Manchester – representing one of the most exciting and ambitious programmes of investment in the region. Work is already underway on a phasing plan for investment with a view to levering both public sector funding and private investment. A future paper to the Council’s executive will be submitted outlining the delivery approach. The Holt Town opportunity: The Neighbourhood Development Framework (NDF) has been produced by a multi-disciplinary team led by Studio Egret West that will help guide investment in the Holt Town area over the next decade. Read more in the Council’s executive report Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Holt Town has huge potential and this is feeding our ambition to create a brand new woodland town – the first of its kind in Manchester. “We have an opportunity to deliver a transformative programme of investment and we expect this area to be Manchester’s next urban regeneration exemplar, creating a neighbourhood that meets the needs of our city and our people – with at least 4,500 new homes, including significant affordable housing options. “This neigbourhood will represent a people first focus around active travel, green spaces, new play spaces for young people – and a digital first approach that will better connect the community with local services. “Following consultation, we are beginning to move to the early delivery phase for Holt Town – a new town within the city of Manchester – that will finally bridge the gap between the city centre, Sportcity and the Etihad Campus in east Manchester.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lambeth Council is taking a decisive step towards addressing the borough’s pressing housing needs, launching a search for a Development Partner to deliver 450 new homes across six sites. This ambitious initiative, part of the New Homes 6 (NH6) project, aims to create at least 150 affordable homes to tackle the acute shortage of social housing in the area. A Strategic Housing Initiative The NH6 project is a cornerstone of Lambeth Council’s broader New Homes Programme, which is dedicated to increasing affordable housing options for local residents. This effort comes as the borough grapples with a housing crisis, with 5,000 households in temporary accommodation and over 40,000 people on the waiting list for social housing. Cllr Danny Adilypour, Lambeth Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Investment, and New Homes, emphasised the urgency of the initiative:“Since launching our New Homes Programme last year, we’ve made significant progress in unlocking housing projects. However, the scale of the temporary accommodation crisis demands swift and effective solutions. Partnering with an industry expert is the next step in accelerating the delivery of high-quality, affordable homes.” Collaborative Approach to Development The council is looking to form a long-term partnership with a single developer who can bring expertise, efficiency, and vision to the project. The portfolio approach ensures that the selected partner can maximise resources and deliver homes across the six sites in a coordinated manner. Adilypour added:“This is not just about building homes—it’s about transforming neighbourhoods and creating opportunities for our residents. By collaborating with the right partner and engaging with our communities, we can ensure this project meets the highest standards in design, sustainability, and social impact.” Community Engagement and Sustainable Development Community involvement is central to the NH6 project. The council plans to engage residents throughout the development process, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs met. Sustainability is also a key focus, with the council committed to balancing housing delivery with environmental responsibility. The initiative builds on Lambeth’s track record of working collaboratively with the government and private sector to address housing challenges. By leveraging public-private partnerships, the council aims to deliver homes that are not only affordable but also energy-efficient and aligned with the borough’s long-term sustainability goals. Improving Lives Through Housing Adilypour underscored the broader impact of the project:“This is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about improving lives, reducing inequality, and fostering a sense of community. I look forward to working with our residents and the chosen partner to bring this transformative project to life.” The search for a Development Partner begins this January, marking a critical milestone in Lambeth Council’s mission to create a more equitable housing landscape. With NH6 poised to deliver much-needed homes and revitalise neighbourhoods, the future looks brighter for Lambeth’s residents. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following extensive community engagement, a major planning application has been submitted to North Lanarkshire Council for the extraction and remediation works of 200 acres of land at Ravenscraig, marking a major milestone in the regeneration of the former steelworks. Ravenscraig is one of Europe’s largest regeneration and community creation initiatives, with a masterplan focused on sustainable and inclusive growth for a mixed-use site. Located on a former industrial steelworks facility, certain parts of land at Ravenscraig require extensive remediation before any new building can take place. This includes the removal of remnants from steel production and deep reinforced concrete foundations, preparing the land for future redevelopment. The remediation works represent a substantial investment into the community of Ravenscraig which will see the extraction, recycling and backfilling of over 2,000,000 cubic metres of material. This major planning application covers the remediation of 200 acres of land in the centre of Ravenscraig which equates to approximately 20% of the site. This includes an area known as Meadowhead, which is adjacent to the new urban park, The Craig, and Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, plus a section of land North of New College Lanarkshire Motherwell Campus (Plots TC1-TC3). Following public consultation in August and September of this year including extensive engagement with local stakeholders, further landscape and ecology studies were undertaken to enable the planning application to be submitted. Russell Wilkie, Director at Ravenscraig Limited, said, “To realise our masterplan for a self-sufficient community with high quality housing, transport links, education and employment opportunities, these remediation works are essential. “We’re making great progress with SevenFourEight, our employment land which will soon become Scotland’s best connected industrial space and the Meadowhead remediation is another piece of the puzzle for residential development. The remediated land will hold huge potential for the people of North Lanarkshire, with scope to provide over 2,000 homes. “We are confident in our proposals and its ability to unlock further opportunities for Ravenscraig and the wider Scottish economy.” A spokesperson from Ravenscraig Community Action Group (RCAG), said: “We have welcomed the open dialogue with Ravenscraig Ltd and the opportunity given, in recent months, to discuss the regeneration of the Ravenscraig community in partnership with those who live here. We recognise the importance of the proposed remediation works to enable further regeneration of a housing-led, sustainable community and look forward to continuing our engagement with them as they look to future residential, education and leisure development.” A final planning decision of this major planning application is expected in 2025. For more information on the vision for Ravenscraig and latest news visit ravenscraig.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
South Quay Regeneration: Breathing New Life into Pembroke’s Historic Heart Pembrokeshire County Council has embarked on an ambitious regeneration programme, awarding Andrew Scott Ltd the transformative redevelopment of the historic South Quay site adjacent to Pembroke Castle. The project, progressing in two distinct phases, promises to revitalise the area with a sustainable mix of uses, enhancing the town’s appeal and functionality. Phase One: Honouring Pembroke’s Tudor Legacy The initial phase of this £18m initiative, supported by the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme and the Transformation Capital Grants Scheme, celebrates Pembroke’s rich history as the birthplace of the Tudor dynasty. This phase will introduce a Henry Tudor visitor centre, a modern library and information hub, a café, and beautifully landscaped gardens, creating a vibrant cultural and community space. Phase Two: The Pembroke Hwb The second phase, known as ‘The Pembroke Hwb’, is funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up programme and the Welsh Government’s Integrated Rebalancing Capital Fund. This phase centres around the regeneration of numbers 7 and 8 Northgate Street and will deliver an integrated three-storey community hub. Facilities will include spaces for day opportunities, learning, and skills development aimed at fostering independent living across all age groups. Additionally, it will offer supported employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity at its core. Enhancing the Environment and Accessibility The project will restore South Quay’s historic buildings while introducing a new sunken garden and upgraded parking facilities. Improved pathways will enhance connectivity between the Henry Tudor visitor centre and the waterfront, further enriching the site’s accessibility and aesthetic appeal. Leadership and Vision Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader of Council and Cabinet Member for Place, the Region, and Climate Change, remarked: “Pembrokeshire’s leadership and financial investment of over £10 million into the South Quay development will provide a civic and social asset with lasting benefit to Pembroke and the county as a whole.” Preserving Heritage for Future Generations Mark Bowen, Managing Director of Andrew Scott Ltd, shared his enthusiasm: “We are delighted to have been awarded this project by Pembrokeshire County Council. We will collaborate with the Council to help conserve Wales’s heritage by breathing new life into the historic South Quay site, sensitively refurbishing and repurposing it for the 21st century.” The South Quay regeneration is set to become a cornerstone of Pembroke’s future, preserving its history while fostering growth and inclusivity for generations to come. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In the last 12 months, the council has received more than 250 complaints about mould and damp from its social housing tenants Camden Council has forked out more than £4.6m to repair damp, mould and other disrepair issues in its social housing properties in the last year, a new investigation has revealed. Data obtained by Legal Expert via Freedom of Information Requests has found that between October 2023 and October 2024, the Council has received 260 complaints from tenants regarding damp, mould and disrepair in its housing stock. In that time, the local authority says it has spent £2,062,017 on damp and mould repairs as well as a further £2,596,087 on other disrepair issues in its properties. Issues of damp, mould and disrepair are in sharp focus across the UK following a report from the Housing Ombudsman released last month which details over 100 severe maladministration cases of damp and mould saying the issue now “dominates half of our casework.” Richard Blakely of the Housing Ombudsman said: “It is clear that landlords are still struggling with timescales. This is despite policies often setting out a clear sequence of actions and existing obligations requiring reasonable resolution times… “This is a topic that now dominates half of our casework and one coming into sharp focus given the government’s intention to introduce Awaab’s Law into both the social and private rented sectors.” Awaab’s Law was first introduced in July 2023 following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in Rochdale, Greater Manchester in 2020. The two-year-old died as a result of exposure to damp and mould conditions and his death prompted a change in the law which requires landlords to fix hazards that pose a danger to tenants’ health with a strict legal time limit. As it stands, the law only applies to properties in the social housing sector. However, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced in September that the law will be extended to the private sector. However, with cash-strapped councils fearing imminent bankruptcy, a growingdemand for housing and a cost-of-living crisis, it seems hard to fathom how councils can be expected to tackle the issues facing their properties despite new legislation and policy. Speaking at the Labour Party conference this year, Angela Rayner said: “Many Housing Associations, councils and landlords do good by their tenants and I know how hard they’ve had it after 14 years under the Tories. Which is why I will work in partnership with the sector to deliver the change. I will clamp down on damp and mouldy homes by bringing in Awaab’s Law in the social rented sector this autumn and we’ll extend it to the private rented sector too.” “We will consult and implement a new Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes, to end the scandal of homes being unfit to live in.” LegalExpert.co.uk offers a specialist service for anyone looking for support and advice after being affected by damp, mould or housing disrepair. They operate a 24-hour helpline and live chat service which you can access on their website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Proposals for a new major urban park at the former Central Retail Park site have been submitted to planners. Designed in collaboration with landscape architects Planit-IE the investment will transform the long-term brownfield site, delivering a high quality, attractive green space in Manchester’s city centre – while also connecting to the existing Cotton Field Park behind and through to Ancoats and New Islington. Following public consultation in August and September of this year, detailed design work has now been undertaken to enable the planning application to be submitted. Providing a green buffer to Great Ancoats Street, the tiered design will navigate the site’s various level changes, creating accessible pathways through the playful, garden-style elements. A central lawn and plaza tie together the wider development of the site, offering a tranquil space where people can unwind and escape the bustle of the city centre, alongside a play area for young people. The new park will complement the wider first phase of development of the former retail site, which will be developed separately by the Government Property Agency (GPA), to create a state-of-the-art digital campus. The office complex will bring together a number of Civic Service departments with a focus around digital skills, and will support around 7,000 Civil Service jobs. A second phase of development will be brought forward by the Council at a later date. More information will be made available in due course. Find out more about the redevelopment of the former retail site. Find the planning application via the Council’s public planning portal – Ref: 141625 Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We have envisaged a greener, more welcoming future for the former retail site for some years and this feels a landmark moment for this part of our city centre. “Once a barrier to the thriving neighbourhood behind, these proposals reimagine the site as a vibrant district with a green oasis at its heart, helping to meet clear demand for quality park space in our city centre – and part of a thread of nearby green space investment, including Mayfield Park and Ancoats Green. “More widely, the retail site will be part developed by the GPA who will deliver a new digital campus that will support 7,000 quality Civil Service jobs in the coming years, creating employment opportunities for local people and continued growth in Manchester.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
City of Edinburgh Council unanimously grants planning consent ‘in principle’ for 205-acre west Edinburgh site Plans include space for 7,000 new homes – plus two schools, a hotel and commercial, retail & community facilities. One of the most significant and sustainable urban expansions of Edinburgh in a generation is set to proceed following planning approval by the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC). Councillors at CEC’s Development Sub Committee on Wednesday (4 December) voted unanimously to grant planning consent ‘in principle’ for the entire 205-acre ‘West Town’ site in a move which is set to significantly tackle Edinburgh’s well publicised housing emergency. Developed by West Town Edinburgh Ltd, the site is located between Ingliston Park and Ride and the Gogar Roundabout at the capital’s western gateway and is regarded as one of the most strategically important development areas anywhere in the UK. The £2-billion project will become the biggest, single homes-led development in Edinburgh in modern times, whilst providing an outstanding quality of life in a brand-new, sustainable ‘20-minute’ neighbourhood. Development plans follow guidelines set out by CEC’s City Plan 2030 which identifies the area as having the potential to become a vibrant, high-density city extension with a capacity for 7,000 new homes. This includes the largest investment in social housing for Edinburgh in recent years, delivering some 2,500 new affordable homes. Proposals for West Town also span the necessary employment, commercial, leisure and community facilities required for a modern mixed-use community. This includes space for a primary school for up to 630 pupils and a high school for up to 1200 pupils, a 300-bed hotel and 300-apartment student accommodation. There will also be 450,000 sq. ft. of mixed-use amenity space including medical provision, civic and community areas – plus bars, restaurants, cafes, retail, commercial and office space. Transport provision will focus on a new tram stop in the centre of the development linked to the Edinburgh Tram route running directly through the site, together with an integrated bus service. There will also be 27-acres of open green space – including a 5.5-acre central park, several pocket parks and a wildlife corridor criss-crossed by cycle, running and walking tracks. West Town Edinburgh Ltd was formed in April 2021 by Drum Property Group to progress development of the site. Welcoming the planning approval, Graeme Bone, Drum’s Group Managing Director said: “This planning consent is the next significant milestone in our journey to realise the ambition we share with the Council, as agreed in the City Plan 2030, to deliver a major transformation of the west of Edinburgh. We now have the once-in-a-generation opportunity to make West Town an exemplar, sustainable 20-minute neighbourhood on a par with the best new developments taking place anywhere across the UK and Europe. “The amount of space on the site, combined with its superb location, allows for a natural extension of the city, providing 7,000 mixed-tenure homes and new jobs in a well-designed 20-minute neighbourhood. West Town also has direct access to some of the best public transport in Scotland – the tram line travels through the site and there are integrated rail, cycle and road connections, creating a strategic gateway for the west of Edinburgh.” He added: “Drum has a proven track record of delivering high quality large-scale communities across Scotland and our ambition for the area matches that of the City of Edinburgh Council. We look forward to continuing to work with the Council to advance our shared vision to create a new, sustainable urban quarter for the city.” The phasing of development will be determined through the submission of a ‘phasing framework’, as required in CEC’s proposed conditions. Once this framework is agreed, West Town Edinburgh will submit detailed planning applications for each construction phase, subject to appropriate consultation and eventual CEC determination. Initial phases will be focused on the new tram stop, creating a town centre early in the development together with homes, a new school and commercial, community and amenity spaces. The West Town planning approval followed a successful 12-month consultation programme which included online and public consultation events and a programme of local stakeholder meetings. For more information on West Town, visit www.west-town-edinburgh.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
