The Pennywell development will give the area a new lease of life.
719 units will be built over a 9-year period, comprising 356 for social or mid-market rent and 363 private homes, alongside a new central park. It one of the largest housing-led regeneration projects currently underway in Scotland.
Pennywell is part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s ambitious 21st Century Homes project, which aims to create high-quality social housing by developing brownfield sites across the capital.
Developing 21st Century homes
Robertson first lent its civil engineering expertise by carrying out enabling works that paved the way for construction to progress.
Robertson Central began construction of Phase 1 in June 2014 with 108 new council homes and 85 new private homes built, including terraced and semi-detached houses, and low-rise apartment blocks. The first residents moved in in May 2015, with this phase completed in late 2016.
Robertson Timber Engineering supplied structural timber frames for all of the units in Phase 1. Innovative off-site manufacturing techniques were used for the floor cassettes and timber trusses, reducing the safety requirements on site and speeding up the process.
Phase 2 consists of 177 residential homes, with 102 of those for private sale. This phase comprises one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes. It is being built by Robertson Partnership Homes and is due for completion by the end of 2018.
Phase 3 is in conjunction with the redevelopment of Pennywell and Muirhouse town centre, and it is the largest part of the development, comprising over 270 units, of which nearly 100 are for private sale.
Benefiting the community now and in the future
Robertson supports the priority given to recruitment, training and supply chain targeted in the local area, with 60 new jobs and apprenticeships and 180 work placement opportunities made available throughout the project.
Pupils from local primary schools were also involved at the ground breaking ceremony.
Pennywell is a fantastic development and will greatly enhance the area. We are committed to investing in high quality, energy efficient, affordable housing and this is the perfect example of how this can be achieved. The project has already created jobs for local people and both the Council and Urban Union will continue to engage with the local community as part of it.
