Plans for a substantial residential and hotel development on the former Saica packaging facility site in West Edinburgh have been recommended for approval by city officials.
The proposal, spearheaded by developer Summix Capital, includes nearly 1,000 new homes and a hotel, representing a “significant investment” in the Scottish capital. Councillors are expected to consider the application in the coming week.
The ambitious project at Edinburgh Gateway, located on Turnhouse Road near Edinburgh Airport, encompasses a 15.5-acre (6.3-hectare) brownfield site. This area is designated for residential-focused redevelopment within the council’s City Plan 2030, supporting the revitalisation of the former industrial location. The demolition of the existing factory structures is a prerequisite for the development, with the reuse of the brownfield site aligning with the city’s development strategy.
Summix Capital detailed the scope of the development, stating: “The flagship vibrant new neighbourhood aims to deliver a mix of uses. This includes the delivery of more than 950 homes, including 35 per cent affordable homes, plus a new hotel with over 170 bedrooms.”
Council papers specify the housing component as 957 new homes. The housing strategy includes “tenure blind affordable housing, addressing the city’s well-publicised housing emergency, and including the provision of accessible family homes and Build to Rent accommodation.”
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Build to Rent (BTR) refers to properties purpose-built exclusively for the rental market, professionally managed by developers or institutions, often featuring on-site amenities and offering long-term leases.
The site became available following the relocation of Spain-based paper and cardboard manufacturer Saica. Saica moved its operations to a new, purpose-built facility in Livingston, West Lothian.
The development’s focus on affordable housing and BTR comes amidst Edinburgh’s declared housing emergency in November 2023. The city faces considerable pressure on its housing market, characterised by high homelessness rates and escalating housing costs. Edinburgh Council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan indicates a requirement for 9,500 new homes by 2029 to meet projected population growth.
