Former army HQ at Craigiehall sold for development
The former headquarters of the British Army in Scotland at Craigiehall, outside Edinburgh, has been sold to developers.
The sale involves two separate companies – the William Pears Group, which is buying 78 former Ministry of Defence houses for refurbishment and Miller Developments, which is acquiring the rest of the 96-acre site for future redevelopment.
The site, located on the north-west fringe of the city, off the A90 and close to Cammo, Cramond and Dalmeny, is in the greenbelt, and includes a number of listed buildings, including the Category A listed Craigiehall House, along with its walled garden and stable block, and the Category B listed former anti-aircraft ops room.
Estate agents Savills, who were involved with both purchasers, said: “We are delighted our joint bid from Miller Developments and William Pears Group has led to a successful acquisition. The combination of this attractive and historical property, and its exceptional setting on the banks of the River Almond, makes it a very special opportunity indeed.”
In 2016, plans were floated to build a 1,200-home village on the Craigiehall site and surrounding land, complete with schools and a transport hub. But the plans were later withdrawn. Miller Developments stressed they had nothing to do with the previous proposal and it involved a far bigger site than the approximately 78 acres they now have.
Miller director Colin Graham said: “Notwithstanding that large chunks of the Craigiehall site are brownfield, the site is a sensitive one in planning terms – it’s in the Green Belt, contains a number of listed buildings, and is a Designed Landscape – so any future proposals will need to be carefully designed within that context. “
Edinburgh Lib Dem group leader Kevin Lang, whose Almond ward includes Craigiehall, said: “It’s good to see that the existing properties might be refurbished. However, the whole site is designated greenbelt land. It’s difficult to see how planning permission involving the loss of open green space at Craigiehall would be granted.”
78
Former MoD houses bought for refurbishment