A pair of deals agreed by two of the key developers of Edinburgh’s waterfront and a local housing association will deliver more than 120 affordable homes to the area.

Forth Property Developments Limited, the property division of Forth Ports PLC, has completed a significant deal with Port of Leith Housing Association (POLHA) which will deliver 102 affordable housing units at the Western Harbour development in Leith. A mixture of one, two and three bedroom flats will be built on the site, adjacent to Newhaven Harbour, in the Forthside area of the waterfront. The development will include a number of specially designed units to accommodate disabled residents.


The development is the first segment of four affordable housing sites to be situated at Western Harbour, with a total of 434 units incorporated within its masterplan. Planning was lodged with Edinburgh City Council in January with building work commencing later this year and completion expected by mid-2009.

Meanwhile, Waterfront Edinburgh has also announced the sale to POLHA of Gateway South, a half acre site in Granton near the new Telford College campus where there are plans to build a total of 20 affordable houses on the land. POLHA says it hopes to start construction on the site in early 2008. This development is in addition to the 23 affordable housing units currently under construction on Waterfront Avenue for Cairn Housing Association.

Under the deal on both sites, the flats will be owned by POLHA and offered as rental accommodation.

(CD)