WESTERN VILLAGES, GRANTON

Forming a major part of one of Scotland’s largest regeneration schemes, Western Villages is set to become the country’s largest operational ‘net zero’ housing development.

The City of Edinburgh Council has set an ambitious target to deliver 15,000 new homes over the next decade with the district of Granton a key area of regeneration that will see over 3,000 mixed-tenure, ‘net zero carbon’ homes, as well as new schools and transport infrastructure, set to be created as part of the Granton Waterfront Development Framework.

Western Villages is currently the largest of its kind in the area since the launch of the framework in February 2020 with formal construction works commencing at the 444-home development in 2022.

A vision for a more sustainable way of living, aligning with the council’s ambitious objective of becoming ‘net zero’ by 2030, the focus for the masterplan will be to not only deliver homes that have enhanced energy performance but also be an exemplar for low carbon transport and active travel integration.

Occupying a scenic position along the Granton Waterfront with views towards the Firth of Forth, the 3.2ha Western Villages site has been developed in partnership with Cooper Cromar and provides a housing mix of one, two and three bedrooms flats that will be made available for affordable (193) and mid-market rent (195) as well as 56 homes for private sale.

The masterplan approach seeks to integrate with existing residential development to the south and maximise views of the sea to the north with five blocks reaching 6 storeys positioned around inter-connected courtyards and ample amenity and green spaces. Various pedestrian and cycle routes flow through the development to promote wider connectivity along the waterfront.

The Council has opted to use a ‘net zero’ energy strategy that has been developed using the principles of the newly-launched CCG Net Zero Home build standard  – created in partnership with Carbon Futures – which utilises a bespoke mix of enhanced fabric performance and zero-emissions energy solutions as well as complementary carbon offsetting measures to achieve operational net zero carbon performance:

• Building Fabric – all dwellings will be constructed using the CCG iQ Timber System and integrated with triple-glazed windows and enhanced door sets to improve airtightness and reduce heat loss;
• Renewables – Solar PV systems, installed to the roof of each housing block, are connected to a communal/ landlord supply;
• Heating – a zero direct emissions solution comprising the use of a communal cASHP (Air Source Heat Pump) and WSHP (Water Source Heat Pump) system. The system captures ambient air and compresses it into water which is then distributed to each dwelling via an insulated underground pipe network that connects to individual Heat Interface Units (HIU) that then serve conventional services for space heating and hot water;
• Ventilation – Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (dMEV) offers continuous, clean airflow throughout each dwelling

The combination of these enhancements will ensure that operational net zero energy performance is achieved with carbon emissions (arising from heating, cooling, lighting, pumps and fans) reduced to 0kg/m2/year.

The district heating network for the development has been designed by CCG Group member Arc-Tech (Scotland) in partnership with Hawthorne Boyle. More information can be found HERE.

CCG is currently on-site at Western Villages and the development is set for completion in 2024.

Client:
The City of Edinburgh Council

Value:
£75m