Following extensive consultation, the examination of CEC’s new Local Development Plan (City Plan 2030) by the Scottish Government’s Reporter has finally been concluded and the good news is that the suggested revisions and adjustments are not as wide-ranging as some
had feared, or expected.

For West Edinburgh in particular there are welcome clarifications on the locations for town and local centres to underpin the 20-minute Neighbourhood principle, an acknowledgment of the need for further guidance on infrastructure delivery through additional Supplementary Guidance and a recognition that the Strategic Business Centre boundary should be amended to include the Crosswind site.

There is further detail on how the potential diversion of the Gogar Burn will be managed through the West Edinburgh Placemaking Framework, supported by consultation with SEPA and confirmation that a road parallel to the railway line would be the preferred outcome.

Overall the Reporter identified a number of adjustments to provide closer alignment with NPF4, which came into effect after City Plan 2030 was drafted and, as might have been expected, there has been further work on the calculations for housing demand and supply. To support the 2034 target of 36,750 new homes (all-tenure) a number of site allocations have been defined as ‘opportunity sites’ recognising challenges to their deliverability in the short term.

Connectivity between sites is a heightened priority as is an emphasis on flood risk assessments for coastal sites in particular.

All things considered the recommendations are welcomed and should contribute to the robustness of City Plan 2030 as the key tool to shape the development of Edinburgh for the coming years.

Following the adjustments the revised City Plan 2030 will hopefully be approved by CEC in June paving the way for some planning decisions soon after.

Green spaces play a crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability, improving public health and well-being, enhancing social cohesion, and contributing to the overall quality of life in communities. This was especially evident during the recent Covid-19 pandemic.

That’s why at Elements Edinburgh we’ve prioritised open spaces to provide an established green network throughout the development offering residents access to play areas, a skate park and a community orchard at the same time as providing nature networks and ‘pollinator pathways’ by including planting along all of our streets. Our landscaped open spaces will account for 46% of the available land, including a new 11-acre Gogar Burn Park, a 3-acre neighbourhood park and over 6-acres of rain gardens, all built to be accessible and allow open access to all regardless of age, gender or ability.

 

Gogar Burn Park

The largest park on site sits alongside the Gogar burn and is home to a play area, multi-use games area, skate park and a community orchard. The park will be informal with a variety of planted spaces, some will be lawned, but most will richly be planted with Scottish native grasses, trees and wildflowers, species which are ‘on the edge’, species which encourage the formation of new and improved habitats while also increasing biodiversity.

We’ll prioritise protecting and improving the existing natural habitats provided by the Gogar Burn and the existing established woodlands.

Throughout the park there will be a network of accessible pedestrian and active travel routes to provide easy access to all areas of the development and beyond to Edinburgh Gateway, West Craigs South, the Airport and West Town Edinburgh.

 

Neighbourhood Park

This centrally located park will provide a green local centre to the development, offering a focal point for a range of gatherings and activities, with retail units at ground floor level and large open spaces offering the perfect location for local events such as farmers’ markets’ and open-air cinema to take place. In contrast to the Gogar Burn Park the neighbourhood park will have a more urban feel with carefully designed hard landscaping integrating the retail and food outlets and active travel routes.

Planting in this area will of course be native and will provide attractive seasonal colour to soften and animate the park making it welcoming for residents and visitors alike.

As with the Gogar Burn Park the neighbourhood park will also have a network of pedestrian pathways, as well as a segregated cycle route providing a direct route through the site away from cars.

 

Rain Gardens

As well as parks, the site will also benefit from raingardens which form the spine of the development. These accommodate a segregated active travel route alongside diversely planted green spaces and pedestrian routes.

Along this spine, there will be scope for pocket parks and seating, allowing this area to become an active open space providing more opportunities for people to come together as a community.

 

Within our plans every home will be a maximum of a 5-minute walk from Gogar Burn Park and all residential blocks will lie directly adjacent to quality green space, either Gogar Burn Park, the Neighbourhood Park, or the Raingarden Spine meaning everyone has easy access to nature and opportunities for social interaction on their doorstep.

 

For more information on the social benefits of urban parks check out our blog and report on the topic at https://www.elementsedinburgh.com/the-social-benefit-of-urban-parks/

Boroughmuir Thistle, Scotland’s largest female football club, has a new sponsor for its under-16 Elite Talent Development Environment (TDE) National performance league squad.

Crosswind Developments, a property developer behind the proposed ‘Elements Edinburgh’ development adjacent to the airport, will provide just under £1500 to finance a new away kit for Thistle.

Lesley Sawers, a non-executive director of Crosswind Developments, said:

“At Crosswind, we are committed to sustainable and inclusive placemaking. This is core to our work as our developer, but it also goes beyond that. We are truly invested in Edinburgh’s wider community, and in ensuring that its young people are provided with opportunities to thrive and grow.

“This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to Edinburgh’s wider community and to the young women of Boroughmuir Thistle. Their success is a testament to their hard work on and off the pitch and we are delighted to support them.”

Chris Summersell, Performance Academy Manager for Boroughmuir Thistle, said:

At Boroughmuir Thistle, we are uniquely positioned to drive opportunity through women’s and girls sport.

We are delighted to have Crosswind, a business with a strong stake in Scotland’s future, supporting our work. This partnership opens up access to resources that will enable us to nurture future football talent, and we are extremely grateful to Crosswind for partnering with us.

Vivienne MacLaren, chair of Scottish Women’s football, said:

“Girls’ participation in sports is essential for their physical and mental wellbeing, and it instills valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and leadership. Scottish women’s football has come a long way since the dark days of the 50-year ban on women’s participation. The ban not only denied women the right to play the sport they loved but also robbed our nation of an incredible pool of talent. Today, as we celebrate the strides we’ve made, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every girl and woman in Scotland has the opportunity to be part of this beautiful game.

Boroughmuir Thistle is doing remarkable work fostering young talent in the local community. We welcome Crosswind Developments’ support of the club, which will help ensure the girls are well-equipped to compete to the best of their ability in the upcoming season.”

Crosswind’s ambition for Elements Edinburgh will see Edinburgh Airport’s disused runway transformed into a thriving commercial and residential hub. Crosswind is currently in the process of applying for planning permission, following a period of community consultation.

Proposals have been detailed for a new community in west Edinburgh that promises 3,000 homes, office space to support more than 4,000 jobs, shops, a school, active travel routes and a green urban park.

Crosswind Developments has submitted an application to the City of Edinburgh Council to regenerate a brownfield site in west Edinburgh, as part of a £1bn development for the city.

The application (reference 24/00523/PPP) comes just three months after the local authority became the first city council in Scotland to declare a “housing emergency”, resulting from a severe shortage of social rented homes and spiralling private rented costs. Crosswind’s plans include a mixture of one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes – designed to support affordability and intergenerational living – as well as a new primary school.

The development, named ‘Elements Edinburgh’, would transform the 72-acre site situated between the established residential areas of Cammo, East Craigs, and South Gyle and the commercial centres of Edinburgh Park and NatWest’s Gogarburn campus.

The site is also adjacent to the proposed West Town development, for which an unrelated planning application was submitted last month. In total, the two proposals promise to deliver some 10,000 new homes in Scotland’s capital over the coming years, with over one-third of those properties allocated as affordable homes, more than 1,000 of them at Elements Edinburgh.

With sustainability a key goal for the city, the neighbourhood will be car-lite with a lower level of car parking to reflect the increased opportunities for those who live and work here to walk, cycle and make use of public transport connections. The site benefits from excellent
travel links, with Edinburgh Gateway station less than 300m away, giving easy access to the city’s tram service and rail network.

Crosswind’s plans include a green urban park with ready access to nearly 10km of designated walking and cycling routes that weave through and around 500,000 sq ft of commercial space. In addition to supporting the enhancement of biodiversity in open spaces, Elements Edinburgh buildings will be constructed to the highest energy-efficiency standards to lower heat demand, thus reducing heating costs. Energy will be from renewable sources.

After consultation with local stakeholders and the council’s planning officials last year, Crosswind has now formally applied for planning permission in principle for Elements Edinburgh.

John Watson, chief executive of Crosswind Developments, said: “We’ve been working closely with the council’s planning officials for some time now to unlock this strategically important site in the west of the city and have invested £8m in this project since 2017. Elements Edinburgh will offer homes and commercial space, designed to provide the perfect blend of life, work, learning, and nature for all.

“We believe our proposals are not only notable in Edinburgh and regional terms, but are of national significance in terms of placemaking, sustainability, and economic impact. We want to partner with the best innovators in Scotland and embrace the latest in energy provision;
focus on different forms of mobility rather than simply cars; and work in partnership with neighbouring landowners to achieve a joined-up approach to transport and other matters.

“We are keenly aware of the need for affordable housing across the city region and have taken great care to ensure the plans we submitted align with recent changes to the planning landscape, including the 2030 City Plan and NPF4.

“The new blueprint outlines our vision for the creation of a new community, featuring inclusive housing for a range of needs and incomes, a primary school, flexible places to work, facilities and services to meet daily needs, and generous green spaces that are well connected to the city and beyond by active travel and public transport.

“If realised, Elements Edinburgh promises to form a key part of west Edinburgh’s wider prosperity and economic growth and will provide hundreds of people with high-quality, sustainable homes. The feedback we received through the consultation process shows that local stakeholders are receptive to and supportive of our vision.”

Crosswind Developments, the team behind a proposed development that promises 3,000 new homes in the west of Edinburgh, has appointed Steve Dunlop as its new chair.

Dunlop’s appointment follows the recent passing of previous chair and former chancellor of the exchequer, Lord Alistair Darling.

Dunlop is an experienced regeneration and economic development professional who has served as a non-executive director of Crosswind since July 2021, following a spell as chief executive of Scottish Enterprise. He is also currently the chief executive of FOR:EV, an electric vehicle charging company.

Crosswind is spearheading a proposal that will transform the site of a disused runway at Edinburgh airport into a new community encompassing 3,000 homes and 50,000 sqm commercial space, which it is anticipated will provide more than 4,500 jobs.

The 72.4-acre brownfield site is adjacent to the International Business Gateway site and the proposed West Town Edinburgh development, for which a planning application was submitted earlier this month. It will comprise a mixture of one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes designed to support an inclusive, inter-generational community. The ‘car-lite’ neighbourhood will be served by a two-stream primary school and created alongside a new green urban park with ready access to nearly 10km of designated walking and cycling routes.

Steve Dunlop said: “It is a privilege to take the role of Crosswind Developments chair, even though it comes in the saddest of circumstances. Alistair was a passionate advocate of sustainable and affordable housing and his guidance and wisdom were an invaluable resource. We will all miss him.

“My new role comes at a critical juncture for Edinburgh’s housing strategy. The 2030 city plan is currently under scrutiny and a housing emergency has recently been declared.

“It is crucial that Edinburgh’s housing stock meets the needs of the future. The principles behind Elements Edinburgh: sustainable placemaking, job creation, and economic prosperity, mean it is set to meet this challenge. Moreover, we believe that these principles chime with the council’s priorities for the city over the coming years.”

John Watson, chief executive of Crosswind Developments, said: “We are still coming to terms with Alistair’s loss and the void he has left, both personally and professionally. We are fortunate to have a very strong board, though, and Steve is extremely well qualified to step into the chairman’s role as we prepare to submit an application to the council for our Elements Edinburgh development.

“Steve’s experience and passion for economic development, urban regeneration and inward investment makes him an excellent ambassador for Crosswind’s ambitions for the city region.”

Crosswind’s other non-executive board members are Dr Lesley Sawers OBE and Andrew Sutherland. Sawers is interim deputy chair of the equality and human rights commission (EHRC) and has more than 30 years’ experience working at senior levels within the private, public and third sectors. She is also a director of GenAnalytics, a data analytics and research consultancy. Sutherland is a former managing director of Miller Group who has worked in commercial property and development for over three decades. He is a former chairman of the Scottish Property Federation and a member of the regeneration committee of the British Property Federation.

Crosswind Developments, the organisation spearheading an ambitious development in the west of Edinburgh, has closed its official pre-application public consultation which sought the views of local stakeholders and interested parties on its latest proposals for the site.

The proposed development – ‘Elements Edinburgh’ – will regenerate a 72.4 -acre brownfield site near Edinburgh Airport, with Crosswind preparing to make a formal planning application early next year.

As part of its planning application to the City of Edinburgh Council, Crosswind will submit a formal report of the feedback gathered during the recent consultation with local residents and state how this has shaped its plans.

Crosswind announced last month that following changes to the planning landscape –including the adoption of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the emergence of the City of Edinburgh Council’s City Plan – it had been working closely with the council to help unlock this strategically important west Edinburgh site. This resulted in renewed plans for the development.

The new blueprint outlines Crosswind’s vision for the creation of a new community, featuring inclusive housing for a range of needs and incomes, a primary school, flexible places to work, facilities and services to meet daily needs, and generous green spaces that are well connected to the city and beyond by active travel and public transport.

 

John Watson, Chief Executive of Crosswind Developments, said:

“The feedback we received through the consultation process shows that local stakeholders are receptive to and supportive of our vision. We will continue to be guided by their feedback as we proceed to the next stage of the planning process.

“If realised, Elements Edinburgh promises to form a key part of west Edinburgh’s wider prosperity and economic growth and will provide hundreds of people with high-quality, sustainable homes.

“Following the council’s declaration of a housing emergency earlier this month, we are acutely aware of the need for affordable housing across the city region. We believe that sites like ours at Elements Edinburgh have a significant role to play in addressing this need.”

 

Active travel, which includes forms of transportation that involve physical activity, such as walking, cycling and wheeling, is critically important when planning a new community, in fact, at Elements Edinburgh we’ve designed from an active travel first perspective so our active travel routes shape the site rather than fit in around the buildings and roads.

Active travel contributes to the creation of more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly infrastructure, such as bike lanes and walking paths. These improvements not only benefit those who choose active travel but also make communities more pleasant, accessible and liveable, with increased open spaces for the whole community to enjoy.

When considering a new community, there can be concerns around the impact this will have on the existing travel infrastructure but active travel can alleviate this by giving people the choice not to drive. Providing easily accessible alternatives can actually help to reduce traffic congestion in urban areas. More people walking and cycling means fewer cars on the road, which can lead to reduced travel times and less frustration for everyone.

This also has a positive impact on the environment. Active travel produces zero emissions, reduces air pollution and has a lower carbon footprint than motor vehicles. The more active travel routes we provide the less motor vehicles will be required which will contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Noise pollution is also reduced, providing a more peaceful urban environment and a better quality of life for residents.

The reduction in traffic can also lead to economic benefits. It has the potential to reduce the need for large infrastructure projects like road networks and can have an impact at an individual level too with people saving money on fuel and car maintenance. Additionally, active transport networks support local business, with walkers and wheelers more likely to shop locally.

When considering individual benefits it’s impossible not to discuss the potential health and wellbeing benefits of active travel. Regular walking, cycling and wheeling can help to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. Physical activity releases endorphins, reduces stress and allows for time in nature to reflect and decompress which has a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. It improves overall physical and mental fitness and gives opportunities to interact with other residents and contribute more to create a thriving community and sense of belonging.

Active travel is inherently inclusive, allowing all people, regardless of their age, gender, mobility, ethnicity or circumstances to access local services and amenities safely and easily by removing barriers and promoting greater investment in pedestrian safety measures such as pedestrian only areas and traffic calming.

At Elements we understand the importance of active travel and are committed to building a community with inclusion, health and wellbeing and sustainability at its heart.

20-minute neighbourhoods are much talked about and with their aim being to create communities where residents can access most of their daily needs within a 20-minute walk or wheel from their homes, it’s clear the benefits they could bring.

Accessibility is key for these new communities to thrive. Reducing the time and effort required for residents to access essential services, making living there more convenient, and improving quality of life with less time spent commuting and carrying out daily chores, and more time spent on more engaging activities with friends and family.

This in turn can have an impact on overall health and wellbeing, with recreational spaces in close proximity to homes, residents become more likely to use their extra time participating in outdoor activities and leading a healthier lifestyle with less sedentary behaviour.

Spending time socially in the community, increases interactions with neighbours, encourages participation in community activities and helps to foster a sense of belonging, this results in even stronger social networks and improved community well-being. 20-minute neighbourhoods allow people to live well locally with greater social interaction which is scientifically shown to stimulate human development.

They’re great news for the environment too. With daily needs being met locally, it becomes much easier to leave the car at home, walking, cycling or using public transport instead. It gives residents the freedom to choose greener methods of transport instead of being limited by cars. This can reduce traffic congestion, air pollution and emissions, contributing to a healthier, greener and more sustainable way of life.

In fact, 20-minute neighbourhoods can reduce reliance on private cars significantly, resulting in lower transportation costs for residents, less demand for parking infrastructure and more potential for green open spaces.

Inherently, 20-minute neighbourhoods prioritise inclusivity, ensuring essential services and amenities are easily accessible to all, promoting social equity by reducing barriers to access and providing equal opportunities for all residents to meet their needs.

A mix of uses is key to the success of 20-minute neighbourhoods, residential, commercial and retail areas sharing the space, creating opportunities for local businesses to thrive and creating a diverse range of job opportunities within the community.

Our ambition for Elements Edinburgh is to create a new 20-minute neighbourhood on the western edge of the city offering residents a better quality of life, better health outcomes, increased community engagement, environmental sustainability, and enhanced accessibility and equity.

Resulting in a vibrant, well-connected community where residents can live, work and play in a thriving urban environment.

Crosswind Developments, the vehicle driving the ambitious Elements Edinburgh development site, has launched a consultation exercise to gather the views of a range of stakeholders on its latest plans.

In line with Scottish Government 2045 targets, Crosswind aims to deliver a carbon net-zero development comprising highly efficient and environmentally friendly homes in a sustainable, 20- minute, car-lite neighbourhood.

The proposed development, named Elements Edinburgh, would see the regeneration of a 65-acre brownfield site near Edinburgh Airport.

Crosswind will use a public event on Wednesday 4 October at The Gyle shopping centre to canvass views on the creation of a new community featuring inclusive housing for a range of needs and incomes, a new primary school, flexible places to work, facilities and services to meet daily needs, and generous green spaces that are well connected to the city and beyond by active travel and public transport.

Responses to the consultation will also be encouraged through the Elements Edinburgh website, or by post, by Wednesday 11 October before a second public event, to discuss feedback and invite further comments, is held at The Gyle on Wednesday 25 October.

Crosswind announced last month that following changes to the planning landscape –including the adoption of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the emergence of the City of Edinburgh Council’s City Plan – it had been working closely with the council to help unlock this strategically important west Edinburgh site. This resulted in the submission of a new Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) in respect of its Elements Edinburgh site.

John Watson, Chief Executive of Crosswind Developments, said: “It is right that people are given every opportunity to share ideas, offer solutions and express views on how their city should develop. That is why we are launching this public consultation, to understand the breadth of opinion from stakeholders across Edinburgh and beyond.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to excellence, and because planning frameworks have changed in recent times, we will use the feedback we receive during this consultation to inform a new master plan for the site, one which adheres to our four core development principles of sustainability, connectivity, enhanced biodiversity and inclusivity. 

“We will continue to work closely with the council to create a plan that meets everyone’s needs, as we work collaboratively with our neighbours in the west of Edinburgh to ensure a coordinated urban expansion that delivers real benefits to the city and to Scotland as a
whole.”

Consultation proposal can be viewed at www.elementsedinburgh.com, comments can also be submitted via Freepost – Crosswind Developments LTD.

Following continued consultation with the City of Edinburgh Council, Crosswind Developments has submitted a new Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) in respect of their Elements Edinburgh site.

With it’s key-stone position, the 65-acre brownfield site adjacent to Edinburgh Airport and Edinburgh Gateway Station holds strategic importance in the development of West Edinburgh. The vision for Elements Edinburgh is aligned to the City of Edinburgh Council’s new and emerging planning policies (City Plan 2030) and presents an ambitious vision for a new sustainable, 20-minute, car-lite neighbourhood.      

John Watson, chief executive of Crosswind said ‘We’re optimistic as we take constructive steps towards deciding whether we make a second application for the Elements Edinburgh site. The adoption of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the advancement of Edinburgh City Plan 2030 have both contributed to a changing planning landscape which paves the way for development on the site.

We look forward to continuing to work closely with the City of Edinburgh Council to create a plan that meets their needs and ours, we’re also to committed to working collaboratively with our neighbours in West Edinburgh to ensure a co-ordinated urban expansion.’

A public consultation begins next month with an exhibition of proposals for the site at the Gyle Shopping Centre on 4 and 25 October.