The City of Edinburgh Council has awarded a new £71 million contract to CCG (Scotland) for 444 new, mixed-tenure homes, Scotland's largest net-zero housing development.

Part of the City's major £1.3 billion regeneration of Granton Waterfront, the Western Villages project will be taken forward by CCG on behalf of the Council following a competitive tender process.

On track to begin construction in mid-2022, Western Villages will offer a mix of one, two- and three-bedroom flats with wheelchair accessible homes and a range of tenure options including social, mid-market rent and homes for sale. The masterplan for the area will take account of the sea views and the nearby parkland, and will focus on active travel, electric car charging points, car club spaces and public transport links.

The project, designed by Cooper Cromar, will adopt the newly-created 'CCG Net Zero Home' building standard with an enhanced building fabric formed from CCG's expertise in offsite Modern Methods of Construction, a bespoke, renewable energy strategy – developed in partnership with Carbon Futures – and carbon offsetting measures combining to deliver 'Net Zero Carbon'.

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Cammy Day, City of Edinburgh Council depute leader, said: "Particularly on the back of COP26 and our own 2030 Climate Strategy, approving this contract gives us the certainty that we'll be able to deliver this major aspect of the council's £1.3 billion Granton Waterfront regeneration. Housing will be integral in meeting our net zero ambitions by 2030 and Western Villages will be a gold-standard for other new development across the city.

"The wider regeneration project will also create one of Europe's largest coastal city parks, providing opportunities for residents and visitors to reconnect with the city's waterfront by offering more areas for leisure and outdoor experiences, civic spaces and sustainable housing."

Councillor Kate Campbell, convener for the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee, added: "The decision by Finance and Resources Committee is great news and will help us deliver this development, which will help us accelerate the delivery of affordable homes. Granton's regeneration is a key part of our commitment to build 20,000 social and affordable homes by 2027.

"The steps we're taking now to make homes more sustainable will make homes easier and cheaper to heat, which helps us to tackle climate change. But it's also crucial for tenants, reducing fuel bills at a time where the cost of living crisis is pushing too many people in poverty."

Western Villages will form a major part of CCG's housebuilding programme in Granton with over 600 mixed-tenure homes set to be created over the next five years.