The ambitious £2 billion ‘West Town’ development in Edinburgh has received planning approval in principle, marking a significant step forward for one of the city’s most substantial urban expansions in recent years. The City of Edinburgh Council’s development sub-committee voted unanimously to approve the plans for the 205-acre site, which aims to address the housing shortage in Scotland’s capital.
Developed by West Town Edinburgh Ltd, the project is strategically located between Ingliston Park and Ride and the Gogar Roundabout. It is set to become Edinburgh’s largest homes-led development in modern times, aligning with the council’s City Plan 2030. This plan envisions a vibrant, high-density city extension capable of accommodating 7,000 new homes, including 2,500 affordable units.
Beyond housing, the West Town project will incorporate employment, commercial, leisure, and community facilities. Plans include a primary school for up to 630 pupils and a high school for up to 1,200 students, alongside a 300-bed hotel and 300-apartment student accommodation. The development will also feature mixed-use spaces with medical facilities, civic areas, and a variety of retail and dining options.
Transportation infrastructure will be a key component, with a new tram stop integrated into the Edinburgh Tram route that runs through the site. An enhanced bus service and extensive green spaces, including a central park and wildlife corridor, are also planned.
Graeme Bone, Group Managing Director of Drum Property Group, which formed West Town Edinburgh Ltd in April 2021 to advance this project, expressed enthusiasm about the approval: “This planning consent is the next significant milestone in our journey to realise the ambition we share with the council… We now have the once-in-a-generation opportunity to make West Town an exemplar sustainable 20-minute neighbourhood.”
The development will proceed through phased construction, with detailed planning applications submitted for each phase as per council requirements. This project promises to transform the west of Edinburgh into a thriving urban community with excellent public transport links and sustainable living options.
