Docks plan cleared for launch

THE massive regeneration of Leith Docks featuring more than 15,000 new homes is set to get the go-ahead from city councillors.

Officials today came out in support of the biggest planning application ever to come before the council, which is designed to create thousands of jobs, generate billions of pounds in investment and make Edinburgh's waterfront a "world-class" destination over the next 20-30 years.

However, the developer, Forth Ports, will be forced to meet a huge number of requirements, including a larger-than-expected contribution to the city's tram network of nearly £29 million.

The council is also set to demand:

• A minimum of 30 per cent family housing with three or more bedrooms.

• A new secondary school for 1000 pupils, three primary schools for more than 1300 pupils, and new classrooms at existing Catholic schools.

• A new swimming pool, sports hall, pitches and skatepark.

• £34m for transport improvements.

Just 14 objections to the massive plan have been lodged with the city council, including one by retail giant John Lewis, which warned that city centre shops will be threatened.

Other concerns have been raised by officials about the impact on air quality, with more traffic on already congested roads creating "the potential to compromise this council's ability to work towards EU local air quality targets".

Despite this, head of planning Alan Henderson has recommended that councillors approve the development at their meeting next week. He said: "The proposal... will achieve a number of benefits. These include: the creation of a new mixed-use sustainable community; (and] a development that will make a significant contribution to the city's housing stock."

City economic development leader Tom Buchanan added: "As Edinburgh continues to grow, the regeneration of the Waterfront will be of strategic importance and will play a role in the future economic, social and cultural life of the city which will undoubtedly benefit Scotland as a whole."

Eventually, nine "urban villages" will be created, with more detailed masterplans to follow. Independent assessors have said the application, together with developments at Western Harbour and Granton, will attract more than £5 billion-worth of private investment.

The first masterplan, for an area around Ocean Terminal dubbed The Hub, is likely to be published later this year, and will include a new cultural quarter.

The entire scheme covers 350 acres of industrial land around Imperial, Victoria, Albert and Edinburgh docks.

The transport improvements demanded by the council include new pedestrian and cycle routes; 19 road junction upgrades; a controlled parking zone enforced by council wardens; money to ensure buses run at least every ten minutes during the day; a car club car within 100 metres of every property; and a contribution to a cycle hire scheme.

Alan Robertson, managing director of the property group Jones Lang LaSalle Scotland, said: "There is an opportunity to replicate the outstanding re- generation efforts which have transformed the likes of Canary Wharf and Greenwich in London and reinforce Edinburgh's reputation as one of the top cities in Europe to live and work.

"I urge the council to approve this outline planning application."

The scheme includes 15,200 residential units, including close to 1000 houses. One-quarter will be classed as "affordable".

Twenty-six per cent of the land has been earmarked for open space, which includes a central Mulberry Park, and Leith Sands, which forms part of the Leith Links seaward extension.

Business use will be primarily centred around Ocean Terminal, with industrial land elsewhere, including a possible tram depot. Dozens of shops and restaurants will also be built, largely around Ocean Terminal at what will be called Waterfront Plaza, the main public space to the east of the existing shopping centre. Most of the shops are expected to be small, but there may be a supermarket serving the eastern part.

It is likely the scheme will also incorporate community and medical centres, libraries, churches and emergency service bases, with an estimated 80 new police officers needed.

Many of the proposed buildings have eight or more floors, while there are also plans for a tower that could be up to 28 storeys high.

Scottish Natural Heritage has objected, but this will be withdrawn once measures are agreed to protect local wildlife.

Checks will be made for 30 minutes prior to any excavation work to ensure whales or dolphins are not in the area, and no work will take place on the foreshore between October and March to protect the tern colony.

Fife Council has called for a cross-forth hovercraft terminal to be included, while Historic Scotland is concerned about the height of buildings.

Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council said the application "seems very professional and visionary, and is badly needed."