'Win-win' as tenants from deprived estate move to waterfront homes

Published on Tuesday 24 November 2009 00:52

DOZENS of council tenants living in one of the most deprived housing estates in Edinburgh are set to be rehoused – into brand-new homes at the capital's flagship waterfront development.

A deal between a housing association and the city council – which is to demolish the Fort House estate, in Leith – will see families begin relocating to the multi-million-pound Western Harbour development within weeks.

More than 150 flats on the troubled estate, which was built in the 1960s on the site of an 18th-century fort, are due for demolition within the next three years. But existing tenants are expected to be offered the chance to move to a 14million development taking shape near Newhaven Harbour, Ocean Terminal and the Royal Yacht Britannia.

The council has agreed to a fast-track demolition of Fort House after striking a deal with an affordable housing builder to rehouse most of the tenants currently living there, with the majority expected to be offered the chance of Western Harbour.

The Port of Leith Housing Association is putting the finishing touches to its biggest ever development in the city, beside a Next Generation health club, Loch Fyne restaurant and ASDA supermarket.

The Western Harbour development, the centrepiece scheme in the city's waterfront regeneration, has been badly hit by the credit crunch with a string of major schemes put on hold or delayed. Applecross and Gregor Shore, two of the major property developers in the area, were forced into administration over the last year.

It was thought it would take three years to relocate everyone from the estate, starting late next year, with demolition earmarked for 2014-15. However, a rethink will see the first families moved in after the New Year and demolition work will now get underway by 2012.

Paul Edie, the city council's housing leader, said the deal was a "win-win situation". He added: "We've taken this decision as we wanted to bring forward the next stage of regeneration. This is the best move forward as consultation with residents showed that most families wanted to remain in the area.

"Moving the residents out earlier than planned means we can take advantage of some residents being rehoused within new homes being built by the association."

Keith Anderson, chief executive of the Port of Leith Housing Association, said:

"It's a very attractive site just walking distance from ASDA and Ocean Terminal and although there is a long way to go with the whole Western Harbour development, there is a new park and a primary school due to be built there."