Pennywell and Muirhouse in Edinburgh is set to receive £1.5 million from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grants Fund.

The funding will help to transform the area creating a new heart for the existing and emerging communities. Working with the community, the City of Edinburgh Council will invest this funding into creating a new civic square and public realm, building new links and strengthening existing ties with retail, services and new homes.

This project will also help to stimulate economic growth and create training and employment opportunities.

The council and its development partner, Urban Union, have already committed around £80m to providing around 700 new homes for sale and rent within this area. Work is well underway with completion due over the next few years.

The construction of a new NHS led partnership centre is also set to commence soon, bringing new health services to the area.

Councillor Cammy Day, housing leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This funding is a major boost for the local community and adds to the other exciting projects already taking place in the north of the capital. I’d also like to thank the local people who helped us to make this bid for funding.

“The Pennywell development is Scotland’s largest housing-led regeneration scheme and this funding will allow further improvements, making the area an attractive place where people wish to live, work and play.”