Regeneration is set to take place on a derelict piece of land in North Sighthill, Edinburgh as contracts for a £35m scheme are finalised
Contracts between the City of Edinburgh Council and Keepmoat have been finalised, paving the way for a new £35m regeneration scheme.
The scheme will see a derelict piece of land in North Sighthill, Edinburgh, transformed. The site will comprise of a major mixed tenure development, which will be built in compliance with the latest Scottish Building Regulation ‘Housing for varying needs and secure by design’.
It is expected the site will comprise of 96 new homes for social rent, 88 for mid-market rent, and 132 for sale.
Help to Buy will be offered to potential homeowners
First time buyers and existing homeowners will be able eligible for the Scottish government’s Help to Buy scheme, providing financial aid of up to 15 per cent of the purchase price of an affordable home.
Keepmoat, a housing and community regeneration specialist, will construct the 316 homes, which will be energy efficient.
Employment opportunities
The scheme will also offer employment and training opportunities in the local area via a Community Engagement Plan. This will be focused on Employability & Training, Education & Outreach, Enterprise & Business, Funding & Development and Community Cohesion. Keepmoat will also deliver one modern apprentice, six craft apprentices and employability programmes for 24 candidates throughout the duration of the contract.
Eamonn McGarvey, regional managing director for the Regeneration division at Keepmoat in Scotland, said: “Now that North Sighthill has been cleared of low demand high rise flats, our proposals shall create a development that Edinburgh can be proud of; benefitting from a cohesive, high quality public realm and seamless tenure that generates a sense of community and civic pride that helps to create jobs and improve the area’s social and economic prosperity and attractiveness.
“This highly important new project is an exemplar of urban regeneration built to high environmental standards.
“It’s a prime opportunity to showcase exactly how Keepmoat as a business is perfectly placed to deliver major mixed use developments that offer a variety of homes for market sale, as well as private or social rent.
“We also face a well-documented skills crisis in the construction industry and this project offers an ideal opportunity to upskill a new generation in varying construction disciplines.
“We shall engage enthusiastically and positively with local schools and colleges to encourage young people to consider careers in the construction industry.
“We are once again delighted to be working with the City of Edinburgh Council and supporting their vision of sustainable housing and neighbourhoods fit for the 21st century.”
Regeneration forms key part of council’s agenda
Housing leader for City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Joan Griffiths said: “North Sighthill is one of the largest new house-building projects in Edinburgh, after the regeneration of Pennywell in the north which is well underway.
“This development is a key part the Council’s commitment, working with housing associations, to deliver 16,000 affordable and low cost homes and nearly £2 billion investment over the next ten years.”
Work is set to start in February next year, with a total time frame of some three years.
