Crosswind Developments aims to deliver a new community on a 29-hectare brownfield site that was formerly an Edinburgh Airport runway.

In documents just released by the local authority, city planners have recommended that the development is given the green light. The final decision will now be taken a week before Christmas by councillors on the capital’s Development Management Sub-Committee.

The development includes a mixture of one, two, and three-bedroom flats and townhouses, designed to support inter-generational living and reduce housing pressures at a critical time for the capital, where a housing emergency was declared in November 2023.

The meeting of the council’s Development Management Sub-Committee comes only a few weeks after the local authority formally adopted Edinburgh’s City Plan 2030, which sets parameters for developments across the city in the coming years. Proposals for Elements Edinburgh align with the City Plan’s prioritisation of housing development on brownfield sites. 

According to Crosswind Developments’ plans, 46% of the site will be dedicated to green space, including a 4.5-hectare urban park, connecting to wider green and blue networks. Enhancing green space is also a focus of the new City Plan. 

The development will create a car-lite, 20-minute neighbourhood with over 9km of dedicated walking and cycling routes, complementing the council’s ambition to promote active travel and reduce carbon emissions. Homes will meet Passivhaus or Gold Standard Building Standards, aiming to reduce household CO2 emissions to zero and provide homes with 100% renewable electricity, contributing to Edinburgh’s sustainability goals. The site is also set to feature 500,000 sq ft of commercial space.

The approval of the site is seen by Crosswind Developments as an opportunity to unlock the West of Edinburgh for future inward investment.

David Kelman, project director at Crosswind Developments, said: “We are pleased to be moving forward with this transformative project, which aligns closely with Edinburgh’s City Plan 2030.

“Our vision is to create a sustainable, inclusive community that enhances West Edinburgh and benefits future generations. We are hopeful that the subcommittee will support our proposals, and we look forward to working collaboratively with the council to advance our shared ambition for the city.” 

The subcommittee will consider the proposals at its meeting on Wednesday 18 December, when there will be the opportunity to hear representations from interested groups.

The project team includes Crosswind Developments Ltd, transport consultant Mott MacDonald, architect jmarchitects, landscape architect Optimised Environments and planning consultant Lichfields.

An application known as West Town, on an adjacent site, was given approval by the city council on 4 December.