Developer unveils new affordable homes plan

THE first images have been released showing how the city's biggest new development of affordable housing will look.

More than 130 affordable units are to be created in a six-storey block of flats in Newhaven.

The development by Port of Leith Housing Association (POLHA) on derelict land owned by the property arm of Forth Ports at Newhaven Place is being seen as an important first step towards solving Edinburgh's affordable housing crisis.

And Forth Ports today also pledged that it would create 5000 affordable homes on Edinburgh's Waterfront as part of its regeneration.

The artist's impression shows that the giant block of flats will also feature four large wind turbines on its roof.

The plans are due to go before the city council's planning committee early in the new year.

They follow on from separate proposals for 100 affordable units to be constructed at Newhaven Place, which gained planning consent last month.

Nathan Thompson, managing director of Forth Property Developments, said: "We are committed to delivering affordable housing across all our developments at the waterfront.

"Over time, there will be more than 400 affordable units within Western Harbour, a further 525 at Granton Harbour, with an additional 4000 included within the outline planning application for Leith Docks.

"This is an extremely important element in the overall development of Leith and Edinburgh as a whole and we are pleased to be working closely with the city council and POLHA."

It is hoped that if given the go-ahead the new flats would go some way to addressing the Capital's affordable housing crisis.

Edinburgh needs at least 12,000 more affordable homes over the next ten years to tackle the existing crisis and cope with a growing population, but at current rates, less than half of that number will be built in that time.

Leith councillor Gordon Munro has said that the new developments are "what Leith needs and wants", adding that it is "part of the answer" to the city's affordable housing shortage.

Mohanjit Singh, managing director at POLHA said: "In social housing terms, this is a significant deal for us which will make a big impact in addressing the current shortage and high demand for affordable homes in the area.

"This is important to the city as many of these homes will go to people who are working in key jobs such as teachers, joiners and firefighters."

Both developments will include environmentally sustainable features, with a number of units being specially designed to accommodate disabled residents.

Building work is set to commence in 2009 with completion expected the following year.

The approval of the 100 homes for families and first-time buyers on the first site at Newhaven Place last month is expected to have set a precedent that will help the second similar application.


Waterfront outlet for top restaurant

THE multi-million-pound refurbishment of a listed former fishmarket building on Edinburgh's waterfront is near completion after a top London west end restaurant agreed to open its first Scottish branch.

Italian restaurant Prezzo, which launched in the English capital in 2000, is to open at Newhaven Harbour in May.

It will be opposite the popular Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, which opened in the former fishmarket building earlier this year.

The building, which used to house the 170-seat Harry Ramsden's fish and chip restaurant, had been empty for more than five years.

The new tenant comes after developer Forth Ports spent £2 million on the refurbishment of the B-listed building.

Jonathan Kaye, chief executive of Prezzo, said: "Edinburgh is a thriving city where we feel there is great potential for the Prezzo brand.

"I'm hopeful that this will mark the first of many openings north of the Border."

The new-look harbour features a boardwalk outside the fishmarket building and a terrace area.

Bosses at the existing Loch Fyne restaurant are delighted with the level of custom it has had so far. Managing director Mark Derry said: "We are very pleased that the adjacent property is to be occupied as this will draw even more people to the waterfront."

Nathan Thompson of Forth Ports said: "This is further great news for the Newhaven and Western Harbour area."