Greening Vacant and Derelict Land in Edinburgh

Locations:

City of Edinburgh

Types:

Urban Greening, Vacant & Derelict Land, Woodland Creation

Funds:

CSGN Development Fund

Contacts:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lead Partners:

Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust

Project background

In 2010, Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust received £26,548 to undertake the Edinburgh Greening Project to test the feasibility of temporarily or permanently greening vacant and derelict and/or brownfield sites within the City of Edinburgh and preparing site specific proposals for pilot sites. The study has identified a number of opportunities with ideas for 8 target sites developed to allow further discussions with landowners and stakeholders. E&LGT is now in discussion with Council staff, the Port of Leith Housing Association and Edinburgh Zoo to progress ideas and with greenspace scotland in respect of strategic action. Funding from a number of sources will be needed to take the project ideas forward.

Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust used a grant of £53,522 to develop detailed designs and proposals for the greening of 3 vacant and/or derelict sites at Granton and Craigmillar. A further site at the Corn Exchange was explored but not taken further. The grant has also supported early site improvement works at Granton and Craigmillar, including tree planting and path works.

In 2012, the Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust was awarded a further £30,539 to develop and implement proposals for the greening of a number of vacant and derelict sites within Edinburgh. This follows on from work supported through the Development Fund in 2010-11 and 2011-12 that saw temporary greening of sites taken forward at Craigmillar and Granton. Sites under consideration are located in the North Edinburgh Regeneration Zone, the Western Harbour at Leith and Craigmillar.

Project outcomes

So far CSGN Development funding has enabled a derelict two-hectare site on Windrush Drive, Western Harbour in Leith to be turned into a temporary green space. New top soil, trees, grassland and a wildflower meadow have been created to improve the local landscape for the benefit of the community.

Quotes from participants and beneficiaries

Councillor Adam McVey, who helped spearhead the project said:
“Greening such a large site in Western Harbour has already improved the amenity for local residents and made it more likely new residential developments will be brought forward on neighbouring gap sites.”

Funding Details:

Links: