City holds talks over plans to build affordable homes at old school site

Published on Wednesday 9 September 2009 09:46

A FORMER primary school in the Capital is finally set to be redeveloped into a major new affordable housing project.

The land that used to contain the Hunters Tryst Primary School would be replaced by a new development of 104 homes under the scheme, by Dunedin Canmore Housing Association.

The plans, which are set to be submitted in the coming months, have been welcomed by community leaders.

Hunters Tryst Primary was closed in 2007 when pupils moved to Comiston, now called Pentland Primary.

Demolition work took place in July 2008 after the derelict building had been badly damaged by fire. Since then, the site has been closed off to the public and is currently lying empty.

Susan Napier, business development director at Dunedin Canmore, said: "There is a great need for affordable housing in the whole of Edinburgh so we are always looking for good sites.

"This is in a good location and close to shops and facilities, so it fits with what we are looking for."

The site is still owned by the city council and talks are taking place with Dunedin Canmore about a price.

The housing association is expecting to have a deal agreed by next March, then intends to start development next summer, if Scottish Government funding can be secured.

Housing on the site would include family homes with gardens and flats. They would also include a mix of social rent, mid-rent, shared ownership and shared equity.

"It is about trying to be as flexible as possible in order to be able to meet people's needs," said Ms Napier. "Some of the people who would look to this housing are on housing benefits and some are working so different approaches are needed."

Conservative councillor Jason Rust, who represents the Colinton/Fairmilehead ward that includes Oxgangs, said: "I think the initial reaction is that people are quite pleased that something will be going on the site, particularly as it is social housing, which is needed in the area.

"There is a shortage of council housing in the area, so plans for social housing are welcome."

He also said that in the past a path used to run through the school that was open to the public and linked residential areas with shops and other businesses. However, since the building became derelict the path has been closed to the public.

"One key thing that we will look for in any planning consent is for the footways and pathways to be included," said Cllr Rust.

"There are a lot of elderly people in the area and it would be very important for them to have the access back."

Councillor Paul Edie, the city's housing leader, said: "We want good quality affordable housing in mixed estates throughout the city built to 21st century standards and our partners Dunedin Canmore, Port of Leith and Places for People are helping us achieve that.

"We are very keen to keep working closely with them."

A consultation meeting is taking place on the housing proposals at the Pentland Community Education Centre on 24 September.