Future of historic Edinburgh hospital site takes shape with plans for 500 homes

The 42-acre Astley Ainslie Hospital site in Morningside has been earmarked for redevelopment, with its extensive grounds, historic buildings and green spaces making it one of the most significant development opportunities in the south of the capital.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Planning Committee is considering the future planning framework for Astley Ainslie today.

The council has been working on a Place Brief intended to establish the high-level principles which would guide any future redevelopment of the hospital campus.

Edinburgh’s City Plan 2030 identifies Astley Ainslie as a housing-led development opportunity with an indicative capacity of around 500 homes.

Any major residential development would also be expected to make a significant contribution towards affordable housing. The scale and character of any eventual redevelopment are likely to attract considerable scrutiny.

The hospital sits within extensive grounds between Morningside, the Grange and Blackford, with mature trees, open spaces and a collection of historic buildings.

Some health services have continued to operate from the campus while NHS Lothian has been considering its long-term requirements. Previous council consultation identified housing, including affordable and mixed-tenure homes, as one of the potential future uses for the land.

It also highlighted the importance of protecting listed buildings, improving walking and cycling connections and preserving and enhancing green spaces.

The Astley Ainslie Community Trust has argued that the campus should be regarded as a community, environmental and health asset rather than simply as a conventional development opportunity.

A recently registered Astley Ainslie Local Place Plan calls for free public access through the grounds to be maintained, historic buildings and trees to be protected and development to be largely restricted to existing building footprints and hard-standing areas.

It also calls for the assumption that around 500 homes could be built on the site to be reconsidered.

The community plan says the future of Astley Ainslie should continue to have a health and wellbeing role and raises the prospect of parts of the estate eventually coming into community ownership.

The council previously consulted residents and local organisations over the future of Astley Ainslie, with responses intended to help establish principles for redevelopment before individual planning applications are brought forward.

Any detailed redevelopment would require separate planning applications and further public consultation.

Astley Ainslie has provided rehabilitation and healthcare services in Edinburgh for decades, with parts of the campus dating back to the early 20th century.

Its location, history and scale mean its eventual redevelopment will be one of the most closely watched planning projects in Edinburgh.