Set to complete in 2021, Pennywell Phase 3 is part of a wider housing regeneration project in the area being delivered through a partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and Urban Union which will see the delivery of over 750 new homes of which half will be affordable. The extensive Pennywell Living development is the result of a major investment of £42 million by the City of Edinburgh Council and includes £7.9m grant funding from the Scottish Government.

In Phase 3, a total of 315 new homes will be built by award-winning firm Urban Union in partnership with Robertson Partnership Homes, 181 for the City of Edinburgh Council and 134 for private sale. There will be a variety of different house types suited to a wide range of different lifestyles and budgets, from first time buyers to growing families.

To mark the start of the construction, a ceremonial sod cutting took place on Friday on the site where the homes will be built over the next two years. Representatives from Urban Union and the City of Edinburgh Council joined together to commemorate this milestone.

Neil McKay, managing director of Urban Union, said: “Launching the third phase of the Pennywell Living development allows us to meet the growing demand for high-quality, affordable houses in the area.

“The first two phases of the Pennywell project were extremely popular with phase two selling out completely in November thanks to the ideal location of the development and the high calibre of properties on offer.

“It was a pleasure to welcome all of our partners down to the site today to mark the beginning of what I’m sure will be a successful chapter in this regeneration story.”

Cllr Kate Campbell, convener of the housing and economy committee, said: “Pennywell is our largest affordable housing project in the city, delivering 228 social homes and 136 for mid market rent - playing a major part in delivering the council’s commitment to build 20,000 new affordable homes.

“This is the result of an investment of £42m by the council, including £7.9m grant funding from the Scottish Government.

“The latest phase of this award winning major regeneration project is delivering new shops and a new town square for Pennywell alongside, most importantly, homes that people want to live in.”

Stuart Bishop, architecture director at Barton Willmore, said: “The Pennywell Living project is a true community development that has successfully enhanced the identity and perception of the North Edinburgh area.

“Our team of masterplanners, architects, planners and landscape designers have worked closely with both Urban Union and the local community to deliver hundreds of affordable homes for sale and rent.

“I’m incredibly pleased to see the start of phase three of this major regeneration project, which will see our designs help transform the area for future generations.”

James Freel, managing director for Robertson Partnership Homes, said: “This new phase at Pennywell Living marks our third partnership with Urban Union and I have no doubt it will be another successful one. We are proud to be building more affordable homes in a key regeneration area and look forward to delivering accommodation of the highest quality.”