This well designed new neighbourhood of 114 houses is situated in the Walled Garden and Eight Acre Field of the site and will incorporate family housing of all types, delivering construction jobs and boosting the local economy.
Sheratan Ltd is also working with one of Scotland’s largest housing associations, Hillcrest Housing Association, to deliver much-needed affordable housing - 25% of the total units on the site - should it receive planning approval for its proposals.
Hillcrest Housing Association has approximately 5700 homes in management and over 600 of these are in Edinburgh. It is currently on site with another 220 units in Edinburgh and aims to start on site with up to 150 new homes in the coming year.
The developer will construct the affordable units at no cost to City of Edinburgh Council which means that there is no draw on its already stretched budget. Hillcrest Housing Association is willing to lease the units from the developer and make them available under the affordable housing provisions.
The developer also plans to make further units available for market rent through the same lease arrangement with Hillcrest and the proximity to the Royal Infirmary is ideal for key worker accommodation.
Such a development will provide a housing boost to the area, greatly enhancing the quality of the environment at the estate. The infrastructure investment, to be undertaken by the developer, and comprising roads, as well as landscaping, will help progress the private hospital and other associated development, such as the BioQuarter, creating considerable employment opportunities.
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There has already been a great deal of public sector investment in the area through PARC, the BioQuarter and the Niddrie Burn works, but in order for the vision for the area to become reality in the foreseeable future some further stimulus is required. Sheratan believes this can be delivered through this residential development which will provide a boost to the South East Wedge and get regeneration of the area back on track.
There is a significant shortfall in the 5 year effective housing land supply in Edinburgh and insufficient brownfield sites to make up the shortfall. This is on top of a desperate need for family housing due to a pre-Credit Crunch oversupply of flats. The need for housing is dramatic and immediate and this highly deliverable location, while being of modest proportions, can go some way to delivering this requirement.
The site already has planning permission in principle for a Care Home and a Care Village (in the "Eight Acre Field"). These planning permissions were granted in 2010 and are still live. It has been marketed for use as a Care Home and Care Village since the consent, and no realisable commercial interest has come forward. Sheratan has as an alternative pursued the option of residential use on the site.
While the Development Plan contains a presumption against residential development in the Green Belt, existing planning permissions establish the suitability of the site in principle for development.
Community engagement events held in February as part of an extensive engagement exercise showed overwhelming support for development of the site, with a view that this provides much needed regeneration of an area which is of poor quality.
Emma Garry, Business Development Manager from Hillcrest Housing Association, said: "We are delighted to be working with Sheratan for the delivery of much-needed affordable housing on this site. The proposals provide an innovative solution which could provide some fantastic new homes, delivering jobs and boosting the local economy. Should the site gain planning permission it would also be a win-win for the Council as there would be no draw on its capital budget at all."
Ewan McIntyre of EMA Architects commented: "This development will deliver a much needed kick start to the area, ensuring that the regeneration of the area is brought back on track, as well as providing housing and employment opportunities both locally and for the city as a whole."
(GK)
