Plans for Edinburgh’s first fully integrated extra-care housing community have moved a step closer after councillors signalled they are minded to approve a £25m redevelopment of the former St George’s School site.
Vivere Extra Care Group has received “minded to approve” consent from the City of Edinburgh Council for the scheme at Lansdowne House on Coltbridge Terrace, a 2.2-acre brownfield site that will be transformed into a 48-home extra-care community.
The development will include apartments designed for older residents, communal lounges, landscaped gardens, parking and a zero-carbon 5G heat network, alongside the restoration of historic buildings on the site, which date back to the 19th century.
The project will convert the former school campus back to residential use, with the main Victorian villa retained and refurbished, while new buildings will be constructed within the grounds.
GROWING DEMAND
Developers say the scheme is intended to meet growing demand for housing that allows older people to live independently while having access to on-site care.
Construction is expected to support more than 100 jobs, including apprenticeships, with the completed development forecast to create permanent roles on site and generate additional spending in the local economy.
Scott Curran, Co-founding Director of Vivere Extra Care Group, says: “Vivere Extra Care Group is pleased to have gained a ‘minded to approve’ planning consent from The City of Edinburgh Council for Edinburgh’s first fully integrated community of extra care homes on the 2.2 acre Lansdowne House site.
“We thank The City of Edinburgh Council and members of the local community for working closely with us to help finalise our proposals for the project.”
Co-founder Beatrix Lehnert adds that the scheme is the first of several planned developments in the city, with further extra-care projects expected over the next five years as demand grows for specialist housing for older residents.
Photo Credit: Sky Cam
