Western Villages, a pioneering residential development in Edinburgh, has secured a nationally-recognised net zero award, highlighting its innovative approach to sustainable construction.

The project, which is part of the £1.3 billion Granton Waterfront Regeneration and led by The City of Edinburgh Council and CCG (Scotland), was supported by Arc-Tech (Scotland) in its delivery.

Comprising 444 homes, Western Villages is Scotland's largest 'net zero ready' residential development. Its design incorporates a combination of enhanced fabric performance and a zero-emissions heating system, designed and installed by Arc-Tech (Scotland), to achieve operational net zero carbon.


Arc-Tech collaborated with Hawthorne Boyle, CCG's in-house Technical Department, and numerous other consultancy and subcontractor delivery partners to develop the project's Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) strategy. This included the installation of sprinklers and over 2,000 solar PV panels, contributing significantly to the development's energy efficiency.

This collaborative approach was specifically recognised by the Unlock Net Zero Awards, which presented the 'Best Collaboration (Partnership)' award to The City of Edinburgh Council and CCG at a ceremony in Manchester on Monday, 24 June 2025.

Unlock Net Zero is an organisation dedicated to educating, informing, and connecting businesses and individuals who are implementing net zero approaches in their operations, products, and services. The third annual awards were hosted as part of the Housing 2025 Conference, bringing together a wide range of innovative companies from across the UK built environment sector.