SIX public-sector partners have put pen to paper on an agreement to work together to create a vibrant new city quarter at Edinburgh’s Granton waterfront.
They say they will collaborate to engage the community to shape plans to transform an area where there has been only “slow and piecemeal development” over the last two decades.
The six, who all have interests and assets in the area, are the City of Edinburgh Council, National Galleries of Scotland, National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh College, Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust.
They say the council’s purchase of the former gas works earlier this year, together with existing landholdings, has provided an opportunity to keep the community at the heart of future development.
At an event to mark the signing, the Scottish Government’s Communities and Local Government Secretary, Aileen Campbell, joined partners and community council representatives to take a tour of the key sites.
The council’s vision for the area is for about 4000 new homes, services and retail and other developments over the next 10-15 years, while retaining its heritage and history.
Council leader Adam McVey said: “Granton is a hugely important area for the council and for the city. It’s not only a strategic development area in the Edinburgh local development plan, but also one of seven key strategic sites prioritised in the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal. Today marks the next stage in our commitment with partners to make the waterfront a great place to live, work and visit by delivering a world-leading development.”
Councillor Cammy Day, depute leader of the council and chair of a forum set up to provide cross party-political leadership on the Granton project, said: “It’s one of this administration’s key priorities to kick-start regeneration in the north of Edinburgh and I’m delighted to be taking the strategic lead on this.
“We and our partners will continue to work together on the development of a new, vibrant, well connected city quarter with new housing, quality jobs and infrastructure.”
Campbell said: “I am delighted to see the ambition, vision and drive to regenerate the Granton waterfront area. It is a fantastic example of regeneration with new green spaces, housing and education facilities as well as the new National Museums of Scotland site.”
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