February 23 2022

Watkin Jones Group has lodged plans for a car-free rental community at New Mart Road, Chesser, with City of Edinburgh Council.

The brownfield build to rent project replaces former livestock sheds, latterly in use as indoor bowling and football venues, with a mix of homes, student housing and community facilities.

Led by Manson the work will see a 'significant' proportion of iron frames from listed cattle sheds retained and incorporated into the overall development after studies found that the costs of maintenance, repair and upgrade of the sheds were unsustainable.

Paul Demarco from current site operator Marco’s Leisure commented: "Investment in recent state of the art facilities, such as World of Football at Marine Drive, show what we can offer through delivering far more viable spaces without the ongoing cost that old out of date buildings unfortunately provide.

“As we are finding, it is proving near impossible to provide quality and affordable facilities under a nineteenth century livestock shed. To address this, we are currently in the process of discussing possibilities for the delivery of facilities on future sites in the west of the city with agents and City of Edinburgh Council."

A mix of outdoor spaces will be provided for use by the public and residents including a central square suitable for gatherings, farmer's markets and performance. 

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