Future-Proofing The Housing Sector In Edinburgh
Construction work on Edinburgh’s first net zero housing development is underway. Housing Industry Leaders looks at how the development will benefit future residents.
The 75-home ‘Granton D1’ affordable housing pilot is part of the £1.3bn, 3,500 net zero home Granton Waterfront regeneration project and is led by the City of Edinburgh Council in partnership with Glasgow-based contractor CCG (Scotland) Ltd.
It is the first pilot development in the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator (EHD) Programme, is designed by Anderson Bell + Christie and is located to the rear of the former Granton railway station building.
Working together, local and national government, academia and the construction industry are testing a new model for designing, procuring and delivering new homes in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal to create a greener future.
Granton D1 Will Innovate Sustainable Living In Edinburgh
Granton D1 is part of the council’s ambition to deliver 20,000 affordable homes by 2027, aiming to contribute towards achieving the city’s target to become a net zero city by 2030.
Future residents could see benefits including active travel routes, public transport links and local amenities – which include three commercial units on the ground floor level of D1 homes. In addition to this, where parking is provided, EV charging points will be installed.
Utilising innovative measures including improved fabric performance and triple-glazed windows will aim to reduce heat loss and energy demand. An all-renewable energy strategy will be delivered by an entirely electric on-site energy centre and solar PV panels.
Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The future of housebuilding is happening here in Edinburgh. Getting construction underway is a huge step for Granton Waterfront and the pilot will help us create much needed new homes and a trailblazing new future for sustainable living in the city.
“Using the most advanced construction methods and materials, these homes will be greener, warmer and more affordable. They will feature EV charging stations and community gardens to support local wildlife. As part of Edinburgh’s new coastal community and 20-minute neighbourhood, this exceptional development will also benefit from new local amenities and low carbon transport links.”
Granton D1 homes really have been designed to improve the lives of tenants and homeowners and will of course help us to meet Edinburgh’s net zero targets. We’re excited to now bring the blueprints to life.
Carbon offsetting measures will be in place and will be reviewed through post-occupation analysis undertaken by Edinburgh Napier University to validate the performance of the homes and help to inform future strategy for EHD projects.
Compromising of one, two, and three-bedroom flats contained within a series of blocks, the homes will overlook communal gardens, with the first homes set for completion in summer 2023. Each home will be clad in red brick which corresponds to the former station building and will become a creative workspace with a public square for community use.
The Project Will Help Scotland Become A Net Zero Economy By 2045
Established to develop and test a new business model for the construction of affordable homes using offsite construction methods, the EHD programme was established.
CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “The aim of the EHD initiative is to prove if net zero housing delivery is affordable, practical, and scalable in order to meet Scotland’s ambitious targets as we transition to become a net zero economy by 2045.
“As the cost of living continues to increase, we are also responsible for understanding how we can tackle the fuel poverty agenda in the here and now by continuing to advance construction methods and adopt new, renewable technologies.”
“CCG has pioneered offsite ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ for over a decade and our applied research and development into ‘Net Zero Carbon’ places us at the forefront of sustainable housebuilding in Scotland. Our partnership with the Council fosters early engagement and collaboration which means projects like Granton D1 can be realised much faster and the beneficiaries of this process are both the end-user and the environment.”
This project is hugely significant for the future of housing in Scotland and we thank the City of Edinburgh Council for allowing CCG to play our part in building a more sustainable future.
Based on collaborative procurement, whole-life costings, development pipeline and greater standardisation, EHD is said to have the potential to transform both the productivity and performance of affordable housing, supporting the move towards homes built to net zero standards.
