Edinburgh Marina to sail ahead after Government Reporter’s backing

The Edinburgh Marina development in Granton’s Western Harbour, which will see the creation of over 1,850 new homes for Edinburgh and 850 new jobs has been given a resounding stamp of approval by a Scottish Government Reporter.Scottish government reporter Andrew Flemming approved an appeal by the developers after the 15-year masterplan planning permission, granted by the city council in 2013, expired.Developers pleaded that had the reporter decided not to renew the planning permission extension, proposals would have needed to go back to the drawing board – adding further delays.The grant of the developer’s S.42 appeal will allow the scheme to push ahead as early as this autumn.In the decision the Reporter stated that the development is “a significant inward investment, providing economic benefits and regeneration in an area that has historically suffered” and added that “it will provide an important contribution to the Council’s housing shortfall.”In addition to the state-of-the-art Edinburgh Marina, the £500m development includes; Royal Wharf – the luxury living for retirement scheme, new homes for sale and for rent, the new Hyatt Regency Spa and Conference hotel, and the Chestnut Yard medical hub and neighbourhood shopping. Phase one of the development will create over 850 permanent new employment opportunities for the local community, together with a high percentage of affordable homes.Strong pre-sales enquiries have already been recorded following the launch of the first phase of Royal Wharf – Living for Retirement demonstrating a widespread appetite for waterside homes just a stones-throw from the Scottish capital.