Edinburgh is expanding fast and in every direction. The population exceeded 500,000 for the first time in 2016 and there are a further 60,000 households expected to be formed by 2041. However, there are simply not enough homes to support this population growth, particularly in places where people actually want to live. This supply versus demand imbalance has resulted in very competitive closing dates and the highest house price growth of any UK city in 2018.

Recent expansion of the city has largely focused on housing sites adjoining existing suburbs. But Scotland’s capital needs a bigger, more thoughtful and longer term solution. Enter the 'new suburbs'; areas of the city where large-scale development encourages the growth of balanced, new communities which are well served by transport links and new local amenities. 

From attainable to aspirational, we have identified four emerging suburbs which are at varying stages of development. All benefit from excellent connectivity and are likely to have the greatest impact on the growth of the city. 

Shawfair

To the south east of the city, Shawfair is already taking shape, with three housebuilders already constructing and selling homes. Up to 3,500 homes are proposed, and these will be relatively affordable when compared with similar sized homes in the city’s more established suburbs. 

A town centre, a supermarket, two primary schools and a secondary school are also planned and Shawfair already has its own station on the Borders Railway line, meaning the new residents can easily access Edinburgh’s city centre in less than half an hour.

New Brunstane

To the north east of Shawfair, and on a smaller scale, New Brunstane currently has Planning Permission in Principle for the delivery of up to 1,330 new homes.

Although located adjacent to the traditional and sought-after suburb of Portobello and the newer well-connected enclave of Newcraighall, New Brunstane aims to be a place all of its own: a community with its own primary school, local centre and various commercial and community amenities. 

Indeed a Design Code has been created, as part of the Planning Permission in Principle, which aims to deliver attractive, characterful development to give the suburb its own identity. The first phase of the site is currently under offer to housebuilders.

West Craigs

Moving to the west of Edinburgh, West Craigs proposes to deliver up to 1,400 new homes with community and retail amenities to support the new suburb. It will become one of the best connected areas of Edinburgh as the adjacent Edinburgh Gateway station, with its train and tram links, is already up and running and awaiting the new community it was intended to serve.

Planning Permission in Principle has been granted via an appeal, with the land expected to be offered to the housebuilder market soon.   

Edinburgh Garden District

Staying west, and looking farther down the development timeline, Edinburgh Garden District proposes that up to 6,200 homes could be built across six distinctive villages. These would afford an abundance of open, community space, encouraging sustainable communities to be developed.

Edinburgh City Council has supported the proposals for Phase One (1,350 homes) and the final decision now rests with the Scottish Government.
  

Edinburgh regularly tops ‘best places to live’  polls but is in danger of becoming a victim of its own success with a housing crisis looming. However, as Edinburgh expands these new developments have the potential to provide much needed sustainable and community housing, in a way which further enhances Scotland’s residential offering.

Further information

Contact Savills Edinburgh