FAQ
What is happening along the waterfront at Granton?
The Waterfront Master Plan commissioned by the Edinburgh City Council was published In December 2000. The Master Plan set out a vision for the regeneration of 345 acres of land along the 2.5 miles of waterfront from Granton Harbour to Marine Drive. To the east, the City Council and Forth Ports have published the Leith Docks Development Framework.
The three major landlowners, National Grid Property, Waterfront Edinburgh and Forth Ports plc, now share one vision – a sustainable, vibrant, accessible mixed-use development which will provide homes, employment and leisure facilities.
The waterfront has moved a long way in a short time and with the first phase now complete, many homes, offices, shops, restaurants, hotels and a cinema are adding to the community mix. Many more projects are underway with the remaining plots of land attracting much interest.
Workers, residents and visitors to this new city quarter have an extensive range of amenities available to them and a network of new local roads and transport ensures that they are able to move easily from one part of the Waterfront to another.
The entire development is set around landscaped open space and a newly accessible waterfront and shore area. Commercial occupiers including: Scottish Gas, Telford College, VisitScotland, Cisco Systems, Standard Life, HBOS and the Scottish Executive have already recognised the existing and potential benefits of the area and are generating an energy and vibrancy that is attracting many others.
How does the old gasworks fit into this masterplan?
National Grid Property (formerly British Gas) own the land that was once the gasworks. Following decommissioning of the site they approached City of Edinburgh Council to check existing plans for the area. Finding that the area was in a heavy industrial planning zone, National Grid Property felt that the 110 acre site had much more potential and appointed international architects Foster & Partners to develop a master plan. Their vision, which is today becoming reality, was to create a sustainable, mixed use development set within a green environment.
This prompted City of Edinburgh Council to commission their own masterplan that would take a fresh look at the possibilities for the whole of the waterfront area and for the area.
The scale of National Grid Property’s achievement to date was recognised by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) who voted The Forthquarter development ‘Regeneration Project Of The Year 2004’.
“A truly comprehensive approach to a challenging task. This is an excellent example of effective regeneration handled to the highest professional standards.” (John Walshe – Judge)
What impact will this have on the local community?
One of the key factors that will make this development a success is the determination of the developers and planners to integrate and enhance the existing community, its heritage and expectations. Already we see the benefits of improved infrastructure, better public transport and local facilities have attracted more residents and businesses to the area around The Forthquarter. The continued development will provide new choices and opportunities for this growing community and for Edinburgh as a whole.
How do I find out about investment opportunities?
For information about commercial investment and development opportunities please Contact:
CBRE 0131 469 7666For information about residential investment and development opportunities contact
DTZ 0131 459 2222 or CBRE Residential Development Consultancy 0131 469 7666
What job opportunities are there at The Forthquarter development?
National Grid Property are committed to ensuring that the local community benefit from the new jobs expected to be created over the lifetime of the regeneration.
Co-ordinating the potential workforce with expanding businesses seeking help is a full-time task.
Working with the Waterfront Partnership, National Grid Property provided land and office accommodation on Waterfront Broadway for a dedicated Waterfront Recruitment Centre.
The centre acted as a one-stop information shop for employment and training across the entire Edinburgh Waterfront and provided a resource for employers to advertise their vacancies, receive referrals and carry out interviews. The centre also offered advice on training and further education, training to help with CVs, job applications and interview techniques.
The centre reached its target of assisting 600 people into work over its two year pilot and the Waterfront Partnership have transferred the successful elements of the concept and some of the services to partner with Jobzone at Edinburgh’s Telford College.
The improved Jobzone Plus will provide an enhanced service to employers and job seekers alike and users will benefit from larger premises and more resources.
Meanwhile working relationships with the Morrisons Supermarket recruitment team have also got off to an excellent start and National Grid Property have agreed to extend the facilities of the former Waterfront Recruitment Centre to the team for use as an office base for their planned local recruitment activities.
In return the recruitment team have promised to work closely with Jobzone and the Waterfront Partnership to ensure that the local community benefit from the vacancies created by the opening of their new store at The Forthquarter.
The North Edinburgh Business Incubator at Granton Square is designed to help foster new business ventures. It provides free advice to start-up, young, existing and growing businesses. The team there are planning to help around 60 businesses over a period of 12 months, particularly support with training provision and making businesses aware of help available including recruitment - Edinburgh Waterfront Recruitment Centre is ideally placed.
North Edinburgh Business Incubator,
4/4b Granton Square, Edinburgh, EH5 1HE.
Tel: +44 (0)131 552 1042
Fax: +44 (0)131 552 8572
Email: info@northedinburghbusiness.co.uk
What is happening to the remaining Gas Holder?
The demolition and removal of the two of the three gasholders marked the end of one era at Granton and the beginning of a new phase in the area’s history. The first holder was demolished in 2002 and the second followed in 2004 opening up views across the Forth and allowed further development on site.
The remaining gasholder, the oldest of the three, is currently B listed at the request of Historic Scotland, but recent surveys and reports undertaken to explore future possibilities for the structure show severe deteriation and rusting and raised safety concerns. These findings are currently under review.
Will there be any shops, bars or restaurants on the site?
In 2007, work began to ensure retail and leisure requirements at The Forthquarter would be well served. William Morrison’s Plc have planning permission to develop a local centre at The Forthquarter, this will include shopping, café’s, bars and restaurants set around the existing Station House building. Further plots around the site have been set aside for small to medium retail and commercial opportunities.
Morrisons Supermarket and Petrol Station opened at The Forthquarter in October 2008.
Can I put my name on a list for information about new homes being built?
Individuals looking for a new home or seeking information about availability should contact the housing developers directly. Details of developers currently onsite can be found on our Plots and Developers page