Edinburgh Council has preferred bidder for major £1.3bn waterfront regeneration scheme

Following a competitive procurement process, the City of Edinburgh Council has announced the Cruden Group as preferred bidder for the first phase of its £1.3bn sustainable new coastal town at Granton Waterfront.

In the next couple of years, the Council will work in partnership with Cruden to take forward pre-development works including detailed designs for around 750 net-zero homes for sale and rent, commercial space and new and enhanced sustainable transport infrastructure and public realm, which will connect the surrounding neighbourhoods with the Waterfront.

The first phase of the project will also see the delivery of a new school and medical centre.

In addition, the Council will also work with its new development partner to bring forward a low carbon energy solution for the first and future phases of the project contributing to its target to reach net-zero emissions by 2030.  

Council Leader, Cammy Day, said: “It’s fantastic news that we can now look to push forward on the first phase of our major regeneration at Granton Waterfront with our development partner to transform the north of the city for people living there now and for future generations to come.

“This is the largest regeneration project of its kind in Scotland and it’s giving us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transition towards a greener economy in our Capital city, while building many of the affordable homes Edinburgh needs within 20 minute neighbourhoods with shops, healthcare, cultural and leisure and education facilities all nearby.

“As Granton Waterfront is one of the seven strategic sites within the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal it will build on Scotland’s vision for achieving net-zero, placemaking and people-led growth.”

Fraser Lynes, Director for the Cruden Group said: “We are excited to reimagine Granton Waterfront and create a brand new coastal quarter that champions sustainable waterfront living with net-zero carbon homes, just three miles from the city centre.

“This new approach to urban development is transformational and will provide a blueprint for the future as we reconnect the Capital to the Firth of Forth and create a new coastal neighbourhood which will become one of Europe’s largest coastal amenities.”