The City of Edinburgh Council and CCG (Scotland) has announced the successful completion of a new 'net zero ready' affordable homes at Western Villages in Granton Waterfront.

The development will ultimately provide 388 affordable homes for social and mid-market rent, along with 56 homes for private sale.

Housing Convener Lezley Marion Cameron and Housing Minister Paul McLennan visited the site, highlighting the urgent need for such developments in the city. The homes at Western Villages consist of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, designed with advanced construction methods to improve thermal performance and reduce heat loss.

"We're in the midst of a housing emergency so I'm delighted to see real progress being made to address it with these much-needed homes being delivered in Granton," said Housing Convener Cllr Lezley Marion Cameron. "These homes will not only ease our housing shortage, but they will provide individuals and families with comfortable modern homes using the very latest technology to keep energy bills down."

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The homes are equipped with an on-site energy centre, including a combined air-source heat pump system and solar PV panels, supported by £4.1m of funding from the Scottish Government's Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme. The development also emphasizes sustainable transport, with limited car parking, EV charging, and extensive cycle parking.

Housing Minister Paul McLennan highlighted the Scottish Government's commitment to addressing the housing crisis: "It was good to see the first residents at Western Villages moving into their new highly energy efficient social and mid-market rent homes. These have been supported with over £15 million in funding since 2020 from our Affordable Housing Supply Programme." He also announced a further £15.86 million grant to the City of Edinburgh Council to support the building of net zero homes at Granton Waterfront in further phases.

CCG Director Calum Murray emphasized the project's significance, said: "Not only is the project a flagship for sustainable, all-tenure housing delivery in Edinburgh – including the city's first-ever, net-zero ready homes for sale by CCG Homes – but it is also a leading example of what can be achieved through collaboration and partnership working."

The completion of Western Villages marks a significant step in addressing Edinburgh's housing shortage and providing sustainable, energy-efficient homes for its residents.