A strong sense of community has shone through a new video from the City of Edinburgh Council this week as residents talk enthusiastically about settling into their new homes at Western Villages, part of a £1.3 billion regeneration of Granton Waterfront for this area to become a new coastal town.
Western Villages is now largely occupied, with 388 homes for social and mid-market rent providing accommodation for around 1,400 residents. After the council declared a housing emergency in 2023, these high quality homes provide much needed, affordable and energy efficient accommodation to help respond to the shortage of homes within the city.
Granton Station View, also part of the wider regeneration project, is fully occupied with another 75 energy efficient quality homes for social and mid-market rent, delivered in October 2024. Work is also well underway to deliver a further 143 affordable energy efficient and high quality homes at nearby Silverlea.
At the end of last year, the council approved the business case for the next phase of this ambitious project for the city. It will deliver a further 847 energy efficient quality homes on neighbouring land and will provide residents with a new primary school (to be delivered through a separate contract), shops and leisure facilities, more walking, wheeling and cycling routes and open and green space.
Council leader Jane Meagher said: “We declared a housing emergency in 2023 and so these energy efficient quality homes are much needed and from what I’ve seen are being greatly enjoyed.
“The video shows how easy it is for residents to access the beach, parks, good transport links, places to walk, cycle and wheel as well as having good local shops and other facilities nearby. I’m absolutely delighted the tenants are pleased that we’re creating communities people feel part of, want to live in and call home.”