A new life dawns in £200m plan for Craigmillar
A £200 MILLION regeneration project to build innovative new homes and develop green space is breathing new life into Craigmillar.
Once a thriving community built up around the brewing and mining industry, along with an industrious creamery and brickworks, the post-war housing schemes that offered new hope have since fallen into disrepair.
Craigmillar retains its strong sense of community and vibrant arts scene and Craigmillar Castle, one of the best preserved medieval castles, is the historical jewel of the area.
PARC (Promoting and Regenerating Craigmillar), a partnership between the City of Edinburgh Council, EDI group and the local community, is set to turn the area around in a 15-year vision for 2,000 new homes and amenities.
Part of this vision is Parclife, a new development of innovative homes, alongside 150 acres of parks, woodland, play areas and walkways.
When the first batch of 28 homes went on the market, a frenzy of callers seized the first plots in just 12 minutes of phone lines opening.
The development is on two sites, one at Wauchope Square, the other in Greendykes, and the houses offer an affordable solution to the problems facing first-time buyers.
Prices between £85,000 and £147,500 for one and two-bedroom flats are competitive for the Edinburgh market. Twenty per cent of the homes are also available for affordable rent.
PARC was even awarded two Homes for Scotland 2008 Designing Places awards for the master planning of both of the sites.
PARC is ensuring that historic buildings in Craigmillar are being protected. The ‘B’ Listed roadhouse Art Deco pub on Niddrie Mains Road, built in 1936, is to be refurbished as an unlicensed community facility.
PARC is also launching a project aimed at reducing bills for Craigmillar residents. The use of combined heat and power (CHP) as an energy source for three local energy units is being studied as a potential to power the new developments. The Scottish Government Climate Change Fund has even awarded the project a grant of £65,000, which will be matched by PARC.
In September, PARC was given the green light to go ahead with the next phase to build more housing in the Square, where 50 per cent of the houses will be designated for social housing.
PARC is helping new home buyers get that vital first foot on the property ladder by working with LIFT, an initiative of the Scottish Government.
LIFT aims to help people on low incomes who wish to own their home but who cannot afford to pay the full price for a house.
With the benefit of this Government initiative, purchasers who qualify, can secure a new home for as little as £60,000.
Need to know
LIFT mainly helps first time buyers but it can help others too.
Call 0845 220 5000 E-mail parclife@rettie.co.uk orvisit www.parclife.co.uk