Edinburgh Ocean Terminal: Plans for new Leith waterfront neighbourhood with 580 homes submitted to council

A move to revamp Ocean Terminal to include around 580 homes is now a step closer after detailed proposals have been revealed.

Plans for a new neighbourhood on Leith’s waterfront, including around 580 homes and "substantial public landscaped spaces", have now been submitted to City of Edinburgh Council. The detailed planning application marks the second phase of the £250m transformation of Ocean Terminal by its Scottish owners, Ambassador Group and follows the approval of its plans to partially demolish and reconfigure the 20-year-old shopping centre.

Under the plans reconfigured Ocean Terminal will have a mix of tenants to meet the needs of local people, with the aim to create a new ‘town centre’ feel for visitors. The new application sets out a mixed-use development designed to support 20-minute neighbourhoods that will sit alongside the re-modelled shopping centre.

First opened in 2001 current tenants at the complex include Vue Cinema, H&M, Boots, Nando’s and Pizza Express, employing more than 625 people on-site. Several shops have closed at the centre, most recently M&S food hall with the company citing ‘changing shopping habits’ for the decision.

Detailed plans include 580 homes for Leith waterfront amidst substantial public landscaped spaces

The centre includes on-site car parking but with the shift towards greener and active travel, it is now also on the cycle network and will be a key stop on the new Trams to Newhaven tramline. A variety of affordable, build-to-rent and private homes for sale are at the centre of the plans with the properties designed to maximise views over the Firth of Forth.

Ground floor commercial units also opens access to the waterfront and views to the Royal Yacht Britannia, connecting the development with the wider community through paths and cycleways. The configuration, height and scale of the new homes have been designed to complement their setting alongside the Port of Leith vertical distillery, adjacent buildings under construction and Forth Port’s renewable hub, while the materials proposed connect the development with the rich heritage and maritime identity of Leith.

Proposals also put forward the potential for a Mobility Hub as part of the new neighbourhood which comprises car club services, bus, tram, cycling, electric vehicle charging and E-cycle, along with other low-carbon travel.

Chris Richardson, director of Ambassador Investments, said: “The submission marks the culmination of a 16-month consultation process with the council and key stakeholders, with the aim to create a unique amenity, leisure, health and retail destination with an inherent sense of community. We’ve looked in depth at how our development fits with the wider context of building and regeneration in ways that meet all policy aspirations for sustainability and architectural quality and character. The plans are a hugely exciting step forward and have the potential to turn Ocean Terminal into a £250m GDV asset for the city.”

“With the go-ahead for the re-modelling of the existing centre, tailoring its footprint to respond to current retail trends, the introduction of a new neighbourhood of quality homes needed to secure Ocean Terminal’s success as a key local ‘town centre’ and asset for the community. These proposals, in conjunction with the existing centre works, will support the retention of over 600 jobs and create new roles within the centre and expanding local area, while offering a series of engaging amenity, health and leisure options for people from all over the Capital and further afield.”

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