Construction is underway on a £35 million City of Edinburgh Council-led regeneration project at North Sighthill.

The council’s partner, Keepmoat Regeneration, will deliver a mixed tenure affordable housing development on land previously occupied by outdated poor quality high rise housing.

The development, funded through the council’s housebuilding programme supported by £2.88m Scottish Government funding, will comprise 316 much-needed new energy-efficient homes, including 96 affordable homes for social rent, 88 affordable homes for mid-market rent and 132 flats and family homes for market sale.

The contract brings many additional benefits. As part of the four year programme, Keepmoat Regeneration has committed to offering substantial employment and training opportunities for local people via an ambitious Community Engagement Plan, centred on Employability & Training, Education & Outreach, Enterprise & Business, Funding & Development and Community Cohesion. A £25k investment fund has also been established dedicated to help local community groups.

Kevin Stewart MSP (minister for local government & housing) and Councillor Gavin Barrie (convenor housing and economy committee) joined representatives from the local community, City of Edinburgh Council and Keepmoat Regeneration to celebrate the start of the build where Keepmoat presented the £25,000 community group contribution.

Eamonn McGarvey, regional managing director for Keepmoat Regeneration, said: “Our launch ceremony was a hugely important milestone, as it not only marks the start of imperative housing delivery, but the start of our commitment to improve North Sighthill’s social and economic prosperity.

“Our Community Investment Fund is just the start of this pledge, as we will be working with our partners at the council throughout the duration of this major programme, to ensure we are investing in the area as whole and offering opportunities for local people.”

Housing and economy convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Gavin Barrie, said: “This is another major step forward in the regeneration of North Sighthill, which will bring much-needed affordable housing to the area. This development is a key part in the council’s coalition pledge to deliver 20,000 affordable and low-cost homes over the next ten years.

“Each of the new homes have been designed to ensure residents’ heating costs will be kept low and the development includes a variety of gardens and open space for residents.

“We are very pleased to be working with Keepmoat on this project which is now part of a larger programme already delivering new affordable homes in Leith, Newhaven, Craigmillar, Pennywell, Gracemount and Chesser in one of the most ambitious council-led housebuilding programmes in the UK.”