News & Blog

Read the latest business news, blogs and thought leadership articles from our members, as well as updates on the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce's work in the city.

News & Blog

NEW CIVIC CENTRE FOR PENNYWELL AND MUIRHOUSE

Posted: 2nd November 2016

NEW CIVIC CENTRE FOR PENNYWELL AND MUIRHOUSE

A proposal to redevelop  Muirhouse Shopping Centre and surrounding area to create a new civic centre within the Pennywell and Muirhouse area of the capital is being considered by the City of Edinburgh Council.

artist%20impression%201

This additional investment will complement and enhance the substantial public and private investment made to date in the ongoing regeneration of the wider area. A report went to all councillors on Thursday 27 October outlines the proposals which are anticipated to bring around 160 energy efficient affordable homes, 13 retail units, new office space for local services and a new quality civic square and public realm, linking this centre with the wider area. Over 90 of the new homes will be built specifically for older people with lift access and communal meeting space. The aim of this is to create a safe, secure and supportive environment to enable residents to remain in their home for longer.

Approval will be sought to place a project order with Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd using Scape Group Ltd (Scape) framework to deliver the new civic centre on a phased basis over the next three to four years.

Pennywell/Muirhouse is one of Scotland’s largest, most significant, award winning, housing led regeneration projects. The transformation of this area is proving hugely successful with the construction of the new Craigroyston Community High School in 2010 and construction of over 700 new homes and an NHS led partnership centre well underway. The area will be home to around 2000 new residents and 180 staff over the next six to eight years. The Council was successful this year in securing £1.52 m funding from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grants Fund to create the civic square and improve access to the arts centre and local services, which has proved a major boost in bringing this project forward.

Housing Convener, Councillor Cammy Day, said: “The Pennywell development is Scotland’s largest housing-led regeneration scheme which captures what we’re aiming for across the city – a range of affordable, energy efficient homes that are completed to the highest standard.

“We know there is a strong desire within the Pennywell and Muirhouse community to see the area transformed into a new ‘civic heart’ for the existing, new and emerging population. These proposals for a new local centre and community hub will make the area an attractive place where people wish to live, work and play and will serve future generations.”

Throughout September and October 2016 consultations were carried out with the Improving Muirhouse and Pennywell (IMP) development group in addition to drop in events and on street consultation  to provide information regarding the proposals and gather views. This will continue into November as part of the Pre Application Consultation in advance of the planning application which is anticipated to be submitted early next year. 

 

Business Comment

Business Comment is the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s bi-monthly magazine. It provides insight on Edinburgh’s vibrant business community, with features on the city’s key sectors, interviews with leading figures and news on new business developments in the capital.
Read more here