AN outline business case for the creation of a £1.3bn new coastal town at Granton Waterfront is to be considered by Edinburgh councillors next week.

If approved, a final business case for the first phase of regeneration will be developed over the next 18 months, while also progressing plans for a low-carbon heat network solution.

Over the next 15 years, the regeneration of Granton Waterfront is expected to deliver around 3500 net-zero carbon homes, a primary school, health centre, commercial and cultural space, sustainable transport provision and a new coastal park.

Progress has already been made in the area, including accelerating the delivery of around 661 council-led homes.

There has also been positive progress in growing a cultural and arts cluster in Granton Waterfront.

Recent announcements include the start of works to refurbish the Granton Station building into a creative workspace, and arts charity Edinburgh Palette has been granted a lease in a vacant industrial unit.

The iconic Granton Gasholder is now also illuminated every night for a period of up to two years, a beacon of light for the project following a joint initiative with Edinburgh College.

City of Edinburgh Council leader Adam McVey said: This business case gives us a blueprint to go forward and clearly demonstrates our commitment to tackling climate change as we start to gear up for COP26 next month. Granton Waterfront is one of the seven strategic development sites in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal and as one of the most environmentally friendly areas under development in Scotland is expected to lead the way in sustainable development in the city as part of Edinburgh’s commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030.”

Depute leader and lead on the Granton Waterfront project, Cammy Day, added: “This development is making a large contribution to Edinburgh’s housing needs and our proposed City Plan 2030 being considered by councillors on the Planning Committee this week.”