Author: AIVP
Source: http://www.edinburgh-forthside.co.uk/
On sale date: Tuesday, 08 March 2005
Type of document: News
Topic: 5.01 - city / port planning project, 5.02 - architecture at the city / port interface, 5.10 - housing
Original language: English
Location: Europe : Scotland : Edinburgh
Language: English, French, Spanish

Forth Ports PLC, manager of the ports of Edinburgh, has announced, on Thursday 3rd March 2005, the launch of Edinburgh Forthside, a huge urban regeneration project that will profoundly modify the waterfront of the city. The area concerned covers over 220 hectares on the sites of Granton Harbour, Western Harbour and Port of Leith.

The new identity, launched by Forth Ports Group Chief Executive, Charles Hammond, will serve as an umbrella brand to unite the developments and underline the company's long-term commitment to the waterfront area of the city.

Regeneration activity started in the 1980’s, leading in the 1990’s to the opening of the Malmaison Hotel, followed by the Scottish Executive building and Ocean Terminal Retail Centre. By 2001, Western Harbour and Granton Harbour had emerged as significant development sites and were granted outline planning consent in 2002 and 2003 respectively. Since planning consent, a variety of national and local housing developers have committed to construction of almost 2,000 homes on the site. Forth Ports has to date invested over £100m in the regeneration process.

In 2004, Forth Ports prepared the Leith Docks Development Framework (LDDF), a scheme described by the City Council as 'by far the largest single planned development area in Edinburgh' and its development will have a significant and lasting effect on the city and the city 'region'. On 10 February 2005 Supplementary Planning Guidance was given for the LDDF.

Edinburgh Forthside is one of the most significant urban regeneration projects in Europe. It features a mixture of residential, commercial, leisure and retail space. When completed, the three developments will contain more than 24,000 homes, creating a community comparable in size to Perth. Forth Ports has worked closely with the City of Edinburgh Council to ensure that the developments all adhere to leading environmental standards, make provision for affordable housing and include new local amenities such as shopping outlets, schools, leisure facilities and health centres.

Speaking at today's unveiling of the Edinburgh Forthside identity, Charles Hammond said: 'A city of world heritage status needs a waterfront which reinforces its position as a major European capital. That is the concept behind Edinburgh Forthside: to complete the picture for Edinburgh. Together with the City Council, our aim is the creation of a new maritime quarter of the city - a living community that encompasses our major development projects. This new quarter will be integrated into the existing communities at Leith, Newhaven and Granton.'

Robert Adam of Robert Adam Architects, who heads up the master plan team for Western Harbour and Granton Harbour, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the regeneration and ongoing development of such an important and vital city. Through applying the proven principles of Traditional Urbanism, we have created a plan and design codes that promote a true variety of traditional and contemporary buildings of different sizes and uses, creating the rich mix of styles and materials that help give an area its character. Above all, we are going to create desirable spaces and places on a human scale and with materials designed with reference to the local building character, so they won't look and feel as though they could be anywhere else.'

Charles Hammond further commented: 'Today's launch of Edinburgh Forthside highlights our ongoing commitment to the city's waterfront ' much has been achieved over the past 10 years and much more will be achieved over the next 20 years. We look forward to working closely with the people of Leith, City of Edinburgh Council and our many development partners to ensure that Edinburgh continues to develop as a world-class international destination.'

Forth Ports will stage a public exhibition at The Forum, on the 1st floor of Ocean Terminal (by Debenhams), Leith from Monday 14 to Sunday 20 March 2005, where the general public will be able to view the current plans for Edinburgh Forthside.