Colonies-style Leith Fort housing to get underway
February 16 2016
The colonies-style homes will be built using a timber kit system including insulation, windows and doors to speed the efficiency and accuracy of construction.
Built in accordance with a Malcolm Fraser master plan it follows demolition of the notorious Fort housing complex back in 2012.
Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of PoLHA, said: “Building high-quality, affordable housing in Leith and North Edinburgh is at the heart of what we do and we are delighted to breathe new life into the former Leith Fort site which will complement our existing mix of developments in the city.”
The new homes and communal green spaces are expected to complete by May 2017.
An existing wall will be punctured to open up views and access through the site
Edinburgh's colonies are defined by a ground floor single-storey flat with a two-storey duplex above
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7 Comments
#1 Posted by ellah on 16 Feb 2016 at 12:09 PM
Who is going to maintain the gardens?
#2 Posted by Rabbie on 16 Feb 2016 at 13:01 PM
I think this looks pretty solid.
#3 Posted by basho on 16 Feb 2016 at 13:28 PM
It's good to see some decent design for housing in Edinburgh. Was beginning to despair. It's also a surprise to see some decent landscaping - this tends to get ignored for budget reasons. As someone who lived for years near 'The Fort' this will be a huge improvement.
#4 Posted by CADMonkey on 16 Feb 2016 at 19:44 PM
Technica question...does anyone know how this complies with Building Regs?
Do Regs not ask for level access to the external front door?
Do Regs not ask for level access to the external front door?
#5 Posted by Neil on 17 Feb 2016 at 11:02 AM
Not to every single dwelling, CADMonkey. Otherwise walk-up tenement-type blocks wouldn't be permissible without a lift either. To quote from the current Technical Standards: "a building containing flats or maisonettes may be constructed without a passenger lift where not more than 4 storeys in height and where there is no dwelling with a principal living level at more than 10m above either a common entrance level or the level of the lowest storey."
#6 Posted by CADMonkey on 17 Feb 2016 at 12:03 PM
By the way CADMonkey.
I think you will find not all properties on a development of this scale will need to be classed as fully accessible. So this should fit in nicely.
I think you will find not all properties on a development of this scale will need to be classed as fully accessible. So this should fit in nicely.
#7 Posted by Walt Disney on 17 Feb 2016 at 12:16 PM
Public open space should be maintained by the factor, private gardens should be maintained by the tennant. It look like a good scale and density. It will be interesrting to see how the public realm survives the VE exercise. RSLs get minimum funding to pay for external works.
Great to see that CCG are getting interest in their OSM. Its the way forward but still has a high capital cost which is hopefully offset by the compressed programme and better buid quality.
Great to see that CCG are getting interest in their OSM. Its the way forward but still has a high capital cost which is hopefully offset by the compressed programme and better buid quality.
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