Property developer details plans for canal-side development in Edinburgh

● Proposals at former industrial area include commercial site and housing

An independent Edinburghbased property developer has unveiled plans for a new canalside commercial and housing development at a former industrial site in Fountainbridge.

The detailed proposals laid out by Glencairn Properties come amid continued regeneration of the area and include ground-floor commercial space as well as 30 private residential and 13 affordable apartments. The development would also create a frontage to Lower Gilmore Place and to the Union Canal.

Additionally, the proposed mix meets the guidance in the Edinburgh Local Development Plan for a quarter of all new housing of 12 units or more to be affordable.

Glencairn said the site is currently occupied by some residential units as well as vacant and active commercial properties, such as a car repair garage and an office, while there is a brick wall between the site and the canal front.

The suggested new development would “act as a natural transition in terms of building and flow between the commercial heights of the developments towards the city centre and the residential heights of the surrounding buildings,” Glencairn said.

It is submitting a full planning application for the first phase of the development, with the second phase being submitted for planning permission in principle.

Glencairn also said the application site is identified in the Edinburgh Local Development Plan as an area for comprehensive redevelopment, with the policies outlined in the report supporting the development of the site for housing-led, mixed use development.

“The site also falls within the Fountainbridge Development Brief zone, which establishes a comprehensive townscape and infrastructure framework for the Fountainbridge area,” Glencairn said.

Daryl Teague, director of the property developer, said: “The site at Lower Gilmore Place is already identified as a redevelopment opportunity to create a quality urban environment, exploiting and enhancing its distinctive canal side location.

“There’s a higher mix of student, office and proposed private rental sector development in this particular area of Fountainbridge.”

The plans come amid various large scale developments around the site, including land formerly occupied by Scottish & Newcastle Breweries (Vastint Development), short stay serviced accommodation at Fountain Court Apartments, and the proposed mixed-use housing developments at India Quay.