Comprising 444 homes located along the waterfront of the Firth of Forth, Western Villages forms part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s £1.3 billion Granton Waterfront Regeneration which will see 3,500 net zero homes, as well as Europe’s largest public park and a wide range of new, mixed-use projects, delivered over the next 10 years as the city transitions to become net zero by 2030.

Working in partnership with Hawthorne Boyle on behalf of the main contractor CCG (Scotland), Arc-Tech is responsible for the installation of a central district heating network as well as renewable energy systems that will contribute to the new development’s net zero carbon target.

Supported by £4.1 million of funding from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, the new heating network will combine with solar PV panel systems installed on the roof of each flatted block, enabling the development to be entirely renewable.

Operating similarly to a conventional district heating system, a bespoke-designed energy centre will be constructed within the development’s masterplan. It will contain a series of Air Source and Water Source heat pumps that combine to heat water up to 65C before being distributed via an insulated pipe network that connects to a Heat Interface Unit (HIU) in each plot that feeds all radiators and instantaneous sources of hot water.

Arc-Tech will additionally install sprinkler systems, integrated as part of current fire safety regulations in new build flatted developments, as well as 30 Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points.

The homes themselves are also designed to be inherently energy efficient with an enhanced building fabric and triple-glazed windows utilised to improve airtightness, lower heat loss, and reduce the occupier’s annual demand for energy.

John Gallacher, Arc-Tech (Scotland) managing director, said: “Western Villages is a landmark development for net zero housing delivery in Edinburgh and Scotland and it is a privilege for Arc-Tech to be involved. Sustainability is engrained in every detail of this project from enhanced build standards and our bespoke-designed energy system to lower car use and a focus on active travel and ecology combining to create a new blueprint for sustainable, urban living.

“The application of Building Services to achieve our goal of net zero carbon at Western Villages has been undertaken on an entirely bespoke basis. We have worked diligently with our partners to optimise performance whilst achieving best value and in doing so, we have formed a greater understanding of how the technologies available to us can support the future delivery of both residential and non-residential projects across the country.

“With the fuel poverty agenda affecting all areas of the economy, we believe that Arc-Tech’s market-leading experience is well-placed to support sustainable development and deliver real, long-term benefits to people and businesses alike.”

Alongside the delivery of Western Villages, Arc-Tech is also supporting the creation of a further 75 net zero homes as part of the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator (EHD) programme. Led by the City of Edinburgh Council, ‘Granton D1’ is the first pilot that will test a new model for designing, procuring and delivering new homes in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal via offsite Modern Methods of Construction and to a net zero standard of build.

Construction commenced at Granton D1 in April 2022 and is set for completion in late 2023 whilst Western Villages is set for completion in 2024.