Construction is set to begin on a new £1.3bn sustainable town at Granton Waterfront in Edinburgh, following the approval of plans for the first phase.

The project is the biggest regeneration project of its kind in Scotland and will see the creation of a new coastal community.

The first phase will include 847 net zero-ready homes, with 45% being affordable housing. There will also be a new primary school, low carbon heat network, commercial units, and public open space.

Construction is expected to start in 2025 and be completed by 2032.

A new website, grantonwaterfront.com, has been launched to provide information on the project and how to get involved.

-- Advertisement --

Council Leader Cammy Day said: "We're starting to see many early projects on the ground making great progress in Granton Waterfront now. The first tenants have moved into the 75 affordable homes we've built at Granton Station View, with hundreds more in the pipeline at nearby Western Villages and Silverlea. The gasholder restoration is almost complete and we're lighting it up after dark as a permanent feature later this month. The new park at 'Gas Holder 1' - new name for the gasholder - will open at the same time. Across the road, the former Granton Station building, with its new public square, has been beautifully restored.

"It's important we bring all of this activity to life for those interested in the area and I hope the new website acts as a helpful guide. You will see from the website we have ambitious plans to create a new neighbourhood, well connected to existing communities there, and I'm really excited about seeing all of these communities grow, thrive and welcome visitors to the area in the years to come."