20 Edinburgh locations that could be turned into housing in the new local development plan

Take a look at where across Edinburgh could be earmarked for housing in the next local development plan.

Locations that could be turned into housing in Edinburgh's new local development plan

Council chiefs have approved a ‘choices’ document which will go out to public consultation to help draw up the new local development plan for the Capital.

Edinburgh City Council insists that it does not want to open up green belt sites for new development, with brownfield sites that have been previously developed the authority’s “preferred option”. But five green belt sites have been identified as potentially becoming new housing sites – along with a host of brownfield sites in the urban area, which could be part of mixed-use developments.

Officials have warned that to pursue a brownfield strategy, compulsory purchase orders could be used to free up land for housing if engagement with the land-owners fails.

Redford Barracks could be turned into housing

1.West Edinburgh green belt site

An area between Edinburgh Airport and the A8 corridor has been identified by council chiefs as potentially being released for housing development.

2. Kirkliston green belt site

The village of Kirkliston in the north west of the Capital is already set to expand dramatically and council chiefs have identified further land, currently green belt, that could be allocated for further development.

Liberton Hospital could be turned into housing in the new local development plan

3. Green belt site east of Riccarton

An area to the east of Riccarton has also been identified for potential green belt release. Council officials say it would “create a new urban extension to Edinburgh” and link communities in west Edinburgh across the city bypass to Heriot-Watt University.

4. Calderwood green belt site

An area of green belt in Calderwood, on the very western boundary of the city, could also be released for housing development. The location is next to development taking place in West Lothian.

5. Green belt in south east Edinburgh

A large swathe of south east Edinburgh could be developed, close to the Sherifhall roundabout and Shawfair Park. The housing-led development could run along to the Straiton and Midlothian Gateway.

6. Edinburgh Airport decommissioned runway

The Crosswinds site, located at the former decommissioned 12/30 runway at Edinburgh Airport, could be turned into a housing-led mixed development. But plans have also been touted for the site to be transformed into a ‘digital quarter’.

7. Seafield

A large strip of land along the seafront, which is currently home to car dealerships and a bus depot on Seafield Road East has been marked up for potentially being turned into housing development. The land, currently owned by the private sector could either be sold to developers or the council could resort to compulsory purchase powers in order to overhaul the site.

8. Redford Barracks

The future of Redford Barracks has been uncertain for several years – with a planned closure delayed by the Ministry of Defence. But the site could be designated for housing development.

9.Royal Victoria Hospital

The former Victoria Hospital on Craigleith Road could be earmarked for housing development. The building closed in 2017 and has remained vacant.

10. Liberton Hospital

Liberton Hospital on Lasswade Road is currently owned by NHS Lothian – but council chiefs have marked up the site for potential housing development on the brownfield site.

11. Bath Road

Industrial units on Bath Road is Leith could make way if the city council presses ahead and reclassified the area as suitable for housing development. If taken forward, the site wouldn’t be the first former industrial area in Leith to be transformed into new homes.

12. Jane Street

Jane Street, which is found just off Leith Walk, is home to garages and industrial buildings. Planning bosses have earmarked some industrial buildings that could become suitable homes for new housing developments in the north of the city.

13. Powderhall waste transfer site

Housing leaders at City Chambers already have a vision to turn this former waste transfer station into a hosing-led mixed development, including green space. Located on Broughton Road, opposite Broughton Primary, the site is currently being cleared after the waste site closed and was dismantled.

14. Astley Ainslie

Astley Ainslie Hospital near Morningside could be redeveloped into housing. NHS Lothian is in a process of winding down services at the site and intends to close it by 2025.

15. Saughton House

Saughton House, which is currently home to offices for the Scottish Government, has also been included on a list of potential sites to be turned into housing-led development. The building, in the Broomhouse area in the west of the Capital, is within walking distance of the tram line through the west of the city.

16. Murrayburn Road

Council bosses could reclassify one of their depots, located on Murrayburn Road in Wester Hailes, as suitable for a housing-led mixed development.

17. West Craigs Industrial Estate

West Craigs Industrial Estate is located between Mayburn Road and Turnhouse Road in the west of the city. It is currently home to various businesses including Jewson, but could be earmarked for housing development in the future.

18. Gorgie Road

Council officials say a former BT office block on Gorgie Road could also be turned into housing if a brownfield or blended strategy is pushed forward by the authority.

19. Swanfield Industrial Estate

The industrial estate between Bonnington Road and Great Junction Street could be turned into housing development, under proposals by city planning chiefs.

20. Carron Place

Industrial units situation on Carron Place, close to Salamander Street, could be marked up for housing development. The site between Leith and Seafield could be reclassified by council officials in the new city plan.