Foundations have now been laid for the latest stage of the Powderhall regeneration, marking major progress towards delivering new housing and an education facility as the former waste transfer station, bowling greens and nearby stables are transformed.

Above-ground construction is under way on the former bowling greens, where contractor CCG (Scotland) is installing substructures, foundations and drainage. This phase will provide 27 council homes for older residents alongside a 128-place early years centre, as well as improvements to St Mark's Path on QuietRoute 20. Nineteen of the homes will be wheelchair-adapted, addressing a pressing shortage across the city centre.

The nursery, to be managed by Broughton Primary School, forms part of the city's expansion of early learning and childcare and aims to improve the accessibility, affordability, flexibility and quality of funded places for the local community.

The wider regeneration also includes restoring the historic Powderhall Stables into flexible workspace and artist studios, due to open soon, and upgrades to the Broughton Road/McDonald Road junction.

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A final phase will redevelop the former waste transfer station site with more than 200 affordable and private homes and create a new civic square on Broughton Road. Overall, the redevelopment will deliver a residential neighbourhood with community facilities, green space and enhanced walking and cycling links. The project has received £1.4m from the Scottish Government through the Vacant & Derelict Land Investment Programme.

Councillor Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: "This is a very exciting moment for the Powderhall regeneration. Seeing foundations now laid for the next phase marks real progress in delivering more homes our city urgently needs. I am looking forward to seeing the new affordable homes and early years centre take shape. Once all phases of Powderhall are complete there will be more than 200 homes alongside new community facilities and green space. This development will create a vibrant and inclusive new neighbourhood for people to live and thrive in.

"Two years on from declaring a housing emergency, we know we must keep pushing forward with solutions to deliver more housing at pace. Plans to regenerate city centre brownfield sites such as the former waste transfer station will form part of this."

CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: "Powderhall will soon become a valued asset for Canonmills. Not only will it help to address the growing demand for amenity housing and nursery spaces, but its delivery will also help to create a lasting positive legacy for the wider community, far beyond bricks and mortar. Six new jobs, one trade apprenticeship and 13 work placements are set to be created, alongside £7,500 of investment and a commitment to undertake 50 volunteering days in support of Broughton Primary School.

"We thank the City of Edinburgh Council for their continued support, and I look forward to seeing how construction will take shape in the months ahead."