The regeneration of Fort House has been brought forward by a year due to the partnership working between the City of Edinburgh Council and Port of Leith Housing Association after ongoing consultation with residents.

Fort House is due to be demolished in 2012/13 as part of the regeneration of the area and a phased city-wide demolition programme.

The proposal was approved by the Council's Health and Social Care and Housing Committee yesterday (6 October).

It was anticipated that the re-housing of more than 150 households from Fort House would take up to three years because of the acute shortage of council housing available and the wish of many families to stay in the local area.

However, a significant number of new properties are being developed by the Port of Leith Housing Association in the Leith and Newhaven area. This will mean those living in Fort will have a wider choice of council and housing association properties.

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And the Council have been working with the Association to bring the regeneration plans forward.

Councillor Paul Edie, Housing leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, said the early move was a win-win situation for everyone involved.

He said: "We've taken this decision because we wanted to bring forward the next stage of regeneration for the area.

"This is the best move forward as consultation with residents showed that most families wanted to remain in the area.

"Moving the residents out earlier than planned means we can take advantage of some residents being re-housed within new homes being built by the association. This will bring to an end the uncertainty about the future of the block."

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of Port of Leith Housing Association, added: "We are delighted to be able to assist in re-housing some of the residents of Fort House which will include families being provided with alternative high quality affordable housing in the familiar surrounding area.

"We look forward to working with the residents with the Council to continue to regenerate the area and to improve the quality of living for residents."

(GK/BMcC)