Edinburgh City Council has approved the first phase of a £1.3 billion regeneration project for Granton Waterfront.

The plans include the construction of 847 "net zero ready" homes, a mix of social rent, mid-market rent, and homes for sale. The development will also feature a new primary school, low-carbon heating, commercial units, and extensive public and green spaces.

The project aims to create a sustainable and attractive waterfront community, addressing the city's housing shortage and providing affordable housing options.

The council has already made significant progress in the regeneration of Granton Waterfront, with several projects nearing completion, including new homes at Granton Station View and Western Villages. The restoration of the iconic Granton Gasholder and the former Granton Station is also underway, adding to the area's historic charm.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: "This is a welcome news for Edinburgh as we can now continue our exciting plans to transform the north of the city into a thriving environmentally friendly new neighbourhood which people will want to call home, work in and visit. I'm really excited to see this milestone achieved, as we are one step closer to delivering a first phase of regeneration in Granton Waterfront.

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"When putting the planning application together we consulted local people every step of the way including those living in established communities nearby as well as other interested groups. Today's decision will allow us to bring together those we listened to in these communities with new residents. After declaring a housing emergency last year it is vital that much of the housing provided will be affordable. Using the latest advances in technology the homes will also be energy efficient keeping bills down for our tenants as well as helping the city to transition to net zero and meet our other climate goals.

"This £1.3bn project is the largest regeneration scheme of its kind in Scotland. It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to bring communities together, with affordable energy efficient housing to live well locally with access to shops, cultural, leisure and education and health facilities and job opportunities all nearby. We'll also make sure Granton Waterfront has excellent active travel and public transport links to rest of the city and beyond as well as to the many established communities already in the area."

Fraser Lynes, Managing Director of Cruden Homes, said: "This development represents a significant leap toward meeting Scotland's growing demand for high-quality, energy-efficient housing of all tenures, and the planning outcome marks a major milestone for the project. In partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, our work at Granton Waterfront will deliver a diverse range of sustainable new homes designed to meet the community's evolving needs. By pioneering innovative net-zero solutions, Granton Waterfront is set to become a model for future housing developments across Scotland.

"At Cruden, we're proud of our long history of building more than just homes; we're fostering vibrant communities built to endure and flourish, setting a new standard for housing that truly serves both people and the environment."