Subscribe to our Construction Newsfeed
Scotland Construction Directory
Search our 14,768 companies....

Construction News

04/08/2022

Ground Broken On New Net Zero Housing Development

Construction News Image
The City of Edinburgh Councillor Jane Meagher has officially broken ground at the site of Scotland's largest net zero housing development in Granton.

The start of construction works at the £72m 'Western Villages' project represents a significant milestone for the City of Edinburgh Council in the delivery of the £1.3bn Granton Waterfront regeneration project. Over the next ten years, 3,500 mixed-tenure homes and associated infrastructure will create a new, sustainable coastal community.

Cllr Meagher was joined by representatives for the project - including the Council's own development and regeneration team, contractor CCG (Scotland) - at the site located on West Shore Road adjacent to Forthquarter Park.

The 444-home masterplan will consist of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, including wheelchair-accessible ground-floor dwellings, available in a mix of social rent (195) mid-market rent (193) and private sale tenures (56) that will each benefit from stunning parkland and sea views.

To achieve net zero carbon, all homes will be constructed using advanced construction methods to improve thermal performance (and reduce heat loss). Delivered by an on-site energy centre containing air-source heat pumps and renewable technologies such as solar PV panels, this low carbon heat system and zero emissions strategy is being supported by £4.1m of funding from the Scottish Government's Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme.

Complemented by carbon offsetting measures, this pioneering approach to reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions has been developed by CCG in partnership with energy and sustainability consultancy, Carbon Futures. Sustainability credentials will be further enhanced by a reduction in car usage, provision of Electric Vehicle charging, and increased emphasis on active travel to lower the development's carbon footprint over the longer term.
-- Advertisement --
NorthernAsbestosServicesLtd



Set for completion in 2024, the homes for rent will be managed by the Council whilst the private homes will be led by CCG Homes, the private housing arm of the CCG Group.

Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: "We are so proud to lead the country's biggest net zero housing development and to break ground today.

"With an ambitious target to become a net zero city by 2030, this first phase of Granton Waterfront will act as a blueprint for future sustainable development and help Scotland transition towards a greener economy. This housing is going to provide hundreds of affordable homes, right at the centre of what will be Edinburgh's newest neighbourhood - offering a fantastically lively, active, and sustainable waterfront lifestyle for everyone who moves in.

"People moving in will benefit from a real 20-minute neighbourhood, with great progress being made in our £1.3 billon wider regeneration project including a growing cultural and arts cluster in the area, after we announced works to refurbish the former Granton Station building into a creative workspace, as well as a new creative and community hub at 20 West Shore Road by Edinburgh Palette. It's also great to see the iconic Granton Gasholder is being brought back to life - now illuminated in solidarity with Ukraine it is set to be fully restored and opened as a public amenity space.

"The operators of the Pitt Street market have also announced their plans to take up a new residence here, with more than half of all stalls to be led by start-ups and entrepreneurs, and we're only going to see more and more new services, businesses and creative endeavours choose Granton. This is the start of an exciting new chapter for the city and for how we build new homes and new neighbourhoods and I look forward to seeing it all take shape."

CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: "CCG's contribution to the regeneration of Granton is significant with over 500 homes set to be under construction by the middle of this year. Western Villages, alongside a further 75 homes with the Council at Waterfront Avenue (known as Granton D1, the first pilot project of the Edinburgh Homes Demonstrator initiative), will play a major role in the creation of this new coastal community and also help shape our understanding and capabilities of net zero housing delivery in Edinburgh and across Scotland.

"We are very proud to be pioneering applied research and development into net zero housebuilding to support our economy's green ambitions whilst also ensuring that high-quality, highly energy efficient homes remain accessible to our communities."

Latest Construction News

04/07/2025
RWE, a prominent power generator in the UK, has officially initiated construction on the 62.7-megawatt (MW) Golticlay Onshore Wind Farm. Located five kilometres northwest of Lybster in Caithness, Scotland, the project sees RWE collaborating with Farrans, who are managing the construction operation
04/07/2025
Scottish Gas Networks (SGN) has confirmed that essential upgrades to the gas network on the A199 in Haddington are set to commence on Tuesday, 15 July 2025. This ten-week project aims to ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply for nearby homes and businesses. To facilitate the work safely,
04/07/2025
Social Bite has revealed that a former bowling green in Mill O'Mains has been chosen as the proposed site for the Bill Sword Social Bite Recovery Village in Dundee. The location was selected for its serene green space and excellent connectivity to the local community and transport links, aligning wi
04/07/2025
The Scottish Government has released its draft Environment Strategy for public consultation, inviting views on proposals designed to enhance Scotland's environment for the benefit of community health, prosperity, and wellbeing. The strategy outlines opportunities for strengthening the economy and im
04/07/2025
Glasgow's extensive £21.3 million Avenues Plus programme, a key component of the city centre's largest transformation in 50 years, is now in full swing. Projects are active on the eastern, northern, and southern fringes of the city centre, aiming to create more attractive streets with improved pav
04/07/2025
Barratt and David Wilson Homes West Scotland has been named Large Housebuilder of the Year at the 2025 Scottish Home Awards, an accolade that celebrates excellence in homebuilding across Scotland. This independent award acknowledges the company's dedication to delivering high-quality, well-designe
04/07/2025
Tulloch Homes, part of the Springfield Group and currently celebrating its 100th year in business, is recognising one of its employees for securing a prestigious national award. Cameron Brand, recently promoted to Contracts Manager, has been awarded the exclusive NHBC Pride in the Job award for hi
04/07/2025
Four employees from Clark Contracts have successfully completed their BSc Honours degrees in Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at Glasgow Caledonian University, marking a significant milestone in their professional development. Their achievements highlight the Scottish contractor's ongo
03/07/2025
The University of St Andrews has taken a significant step forward in its major plans to redevelop the distinctive and historically significant former Madras College school building in central St Andrews. This week, the University submitted a full planning application to Fife Council for the renova
03/07/2025
Following extensive preparatory work, a definitive start date has been set for the significant redevelopment of the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall in Kilmarnock. The "Cultural Kilmarnock" project, backed by £20 million from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund and additional funding from East Ayrs
Tennants (Elgin) LtdCF Concrete PumpingPAUL Heat RecoveryAtlas Winch & Hoist Services LtdClaymore Training LimitedMulberry Kitchen DesignScaftec LtdTALA TrainingK & I Paterson LtdForde Training Services Ltd