Unlock Net Zero is an organisation that is designed to educate, inform and connect people and businesses who are deploying a net zero approach to their operations, products, and services.

Their third annual awards were hosted on Tuesday 24 June in Manchester as part of the Housing 2025 Conference, and The City of Edinburgh Council and CCG (Scotland) were nominated across two categories for their pioneering project known as Western Villages – Scotland’s largest ‘net zero ready’ residential development.

Forming a major part of the £1.3 billion Granton Waterfront Regeneration, Western Villages is a product of collaborative procurement and partnership working.

CCG (Scotland) was directly appointed to deliver the project on a design and build basis in 2020.

A contractor-led design team, comprising Cooper Cromar and Bayne Stevenson Associates was formed thereafter and worked alongside the Council and Arcadis to develop the masterplan.

Despite the impact of the global pandemic, the resultant shift in working practices, and adaptation to new renewable technologies, the 11-acre brownfield site was taken from concept to construction start in a remarkable 24-month period.

The development will now significantly support the council’s efforts to address the housing emergency the city is currently facing, with 388 one, two, and three-bedroom social and mid-market rent homes, as well as 56 for private sale – led by CCG Homes – all of which will be fully completed by the end of the summer.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said: “I am delighted that the excellent collaborative and partnership working by our team and our partners delivering Edinburgh’s Western Village development has been recognised by winning this award.

“Given the ongoing reality of Edinburgh’s Housing Emergency, and the costs and challenges that brings to people and families in housing need, and to the Council, building significant numbers of new net-zero homes and setting a high standard for energy efficiency is a vital part of our efforts to tackle Edinburgh’s housing and homelessness pressures and to reduce our carbon footprint.”

Western Villages has been constructed to CCG’s ‘Net Zero Home’ build standard, which addresses operational carbon emissions through the adoption of an enhanced building fabric – comprising CCG’s iQ Timber System and triple-glazed windows – and zero-emissions heating.

The project’s energy strategy was developed collaboratively with Carbon Futures, who digitally modelled up to nine different heating solutions to help inform the most practical and cost-effective option to realise the Council’s net zero ambitions.

The technology that is now in place – a combined air source heat pump system – is one of the most sophisticated and largest of its kind in the UK and provides space heating and hot water from a centralised source instead of individual water cylinders in each dwelling.

Tenants, owner-occupiers, and the council will now benefit in the short and immediate term, with advanced energy performance helping to lower fuel bills, and a build standard that is future-proofed against changes to legislative requirements as the city undergoes its net zero transition.

CCG director, Calum Murray, added: “As the flagship of the Granton Waterfront Regeneration, Western Villages is one of the most significant residential projects of our time.

“It is a true testament to what can be achieved by collaborative working where, despite the impact and the societal shift that was thrust on us by the pandemic, CCG – supported by our much-valued design team and sub-contractor partners – was able to realise a practical, scalable, and affordable solution that will now significantly aid the Council’s efforts to addressing the housing emergency.

“Western Villages not only serves as an exemplar for large-scale housing delivery in Edinburgh, but it has also set a benchmark for the future of housebuilding in Scotland, and we wish to express our deepest thanks to the Council for entrusting us with this pioneering development.”