Regeneration specialist Summix Capital submitted a planning application to the City of Edinburgh Council in the summer to regenerate the site of the former Saica packaging facility in West Edinburgh.

The brownfield site on Turnhouse Road is allocated in the council’s City Plan 2030 for residential-focused redevelopment.

If approved when considered by councillors this week, the new neighbourhood aims to deliver 950+ homes, including 35% affordable homes, plus a new hotel with over 170 bedrooms.

The housing proposed will include tenure blind affordable housing, the provision of accessible family homes and Build to Rent (BTR) accommodation. 

The development masterplan defines seven development plots. Plots 1 and 2 will deliver private sale housing; Plots 3 and 4 are dedicated to BTR homes; and Plots 5 and 6 contribute to the city’s affordable housing provision. Plot 7 will accommodate the new hotel.

Papers to go before councillors state: “It is recommended that this application be granted.

“The proposal delivers 957 new homes on an allocated housing site as part of a mixed-use development with a hotel and commercial uses and is acceptable in principle.

“The proposal will form part of the emerging area in West Edinburgh as envisaged in the development plan.”

The papers add: “The former factory facility is required to be demolished to allow development of the proposal however use of a brownfield site is supported by the development plan.

“Affordable housing of 35% is proposed on-site as required by policy and a good mix of housing in a mixture of flat sizes from studios to three bedrooms, including 20% for families, is provided.”