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.

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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.

Willie Drysdale, Development Director at POLHA, said: “These are major deals in helping us meet the high demand for affordable housing in these areas of the city. Both developments, in particular Western Harbour which is a large development in social housing terms, will make a huge impact in addressing the current shortage for affordable homes in the area. We are pleased with the efforts of Forth Ports and Waterfront Edinburgh in delivering affordable housing to the community. This is an important step forward as many of these homes will go to people who have little hope of getting on the home ownership ladder.

“We will also be implementing sustainable measures within these developments, ensuring appropriate materials are used in construction to make these properties efficient to run for the residents. This will include high levels of insulation, efficient boilers, ground floor heat source pumps and wind turbines to supply some of the required energy for these homes."

Colin Hunter, Acting Chief Executive of Waterfront Edinburgh, said: “This is a very positive step forward for Waterfront Edinburgh. With affordable housing top of our agenda, we welcome this deal with Port of Leith Housing Association.”

(CL)