Edinburgh approves plan for £100m Meadowbank neighbourhood

Edinburgh City Council has approved the masterplan for a ‘green’ neighbourhood on land it owns at Meadowbank.The masterplan for council-owned land at Meadowbank was approved yesterday (7th October) by members of the development management sub-committee. About 600 energy-efficient homes – a minimum of 35% of which will be affordable – are detailed in the planning application. The plans had been submitted in February.Following the decision, the circa £100m project is expected to become the first development of its size in Edinburgh to promote the council’s goal of net-zero carbon by 2030 by creating a low-car, low-carbon community and energy-efficient new homes. The plan has been shaped in response to views shared by local residents, who were keen to see more green space, places for play and better-connected walking and cycle routes brought to the area.The mixed-use development will also create jobs by regenerating a five-hectare area next to the new Meadowbank Sports Centre, which is due to open next year.Space for a new GP surgery and community and commercial uses, the protection of existing trees and planting of saplings plus new rain gardens also feature in landscaping designs, which aim to pay tribute to the area’s sporting and industrial heritage.The masterplan has already been awarded Building with Nature accreditation from Nature Scot and the Scottish Government. In addition, the council has undertaken studies on the option for ‘green roofs’. The designs have also been endorsed by Sustrans’ Places for Everyone scheme.