The City of Edinburgh Council has bought the former National Grid site in Granton on Edinburgh’s Waterfront after an agreement was reached with National Grid on Tuesday, 13 March 2018. 

Development of this site is critical to the Council’s plans to deliver a vibrant city quarter and accelerate the delivery of new homes for people on low and middle incomes. 

Development of the 66 acre site stalled over the last decade and the Council has been successful in negotiating with National Grid over the last 12 months to unlock the site’s potential. 

The site also includes an iconic last remaining gas holder in the city and the former Granton railway station. 

Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “This is a hugely important site for the city’s economy and its acquisition is a key milestone in our plans to make Granton’s Waterfront a great place to live and work. It will also make a significant contribution to our ambitious plans to build 20,000 affordable and low-cost homes over the next decade. 

“Despite enormous global challenges the city’s economy and population continues to grow and we want everyone in the city to benefit from this. I look forward to working with the local community, partners and colleagues from Scottish Government to shape our plans to develop the site.” 

Benjamin Gaunt, from National Grid Property, said: “National Grid has been working in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council for many years to develop Granton Waterfront, successfully bringing a number of projects in the area to fruition. We are delighted the Council has acquired Granton Waterfront and will be taking the site through to the next stage of development.” 

Over the last decade the Council and its partners have invested over £309m in the regeneration of North Edinburgh, delivering nearly 2,200 homes, retail, a new school, Craigroyston Community High and a new health and social care hub, the Pennywell All Care Centre. 

Further information: 

The Waterfront is one of the Council’s seven key strategic development areas identified in the Edinburgh and South-East City Region Deal. 

This announcement comes on the back of East Lothian Council buying the former Cockenzie Power Station site for redevelopment last week from Scottish Power. 

National Grid Properties were represented by Cushman & Wakefield. The in-house Investments team represented the Council.