The regeneration of Powderhall consists of proposals for the redevelopment of the former Powderhall waste transfer station, former bowling greens site, and adjacent former stables block. The redevelopment proposes:
- a mix of over 200 new affordable and private homes
- a new early years centre with older persons housing above
- restoration of the historic former stable block into flexible workspace and artist studios
- a new civic square off Broughton Road
- New and enhance green space
- improvements to St. Mark's Path to promote walking and cycling
- upgrades to the junction of Broughton Road and McDonald Road.
Background
After significant consultation took place throughout 2018, a place brief for the Powderhall site was approved on 12th December 2018. This forms non-statutory guidance for those developing the site. A delivery strategy for the Powderhall site was approved by the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee on 29th August 2019. This agreed key objectives for the site, including a minimum of 35% affordable housing. We completed demolition and clearance of the former waste transfer buildings in 2019.
Following the approval of the place brief and building on this work, a proposal of application notice (19/04682/PAN) was lodged on 4th October 2019 and a series of statutory public consultations took place, the results of which inform planning applications.
View details of previous consultations on the Consultation Hub
Powderhall will be developed in phases starting with the stables block, then the former bowling greens site and finally the former waste transfer station.
Powderhall Stables
Planning permission for the conversion of the stable block was granted in November 2020. Restoration of the former stable block commenced in May 2021 with funding from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF).
Work on Powderhall Stables is now largely complete and the building is expected to open in 2026. It will be operated by the Out of the Blue Arts & Education Trust, an Edinburgh-based charity specialising in providing affordable spaces for the creative sector.
Former bowling greens site
Planning permission for the former bowling greens site was granted in November 2021. This phase will include
- a 128-space early years centre
- 27 Council homes for older people (including 19 wheelchair adapted homes)
- improvements to St. Mark’s Path.
The contractor is CCG. Construction is expected to take around 18 months, with completion in spring 2027. CCG is currently preparing and clearing the site. The next phase will be the installation of substructures, foundations, and drainage connections, which will begin in late January 2026. Above ground development is expected to begin in April 2026.
The section of St. Mark's Path between the Water of Leith and Broughton Road will remain open for the majority of the construction programme. Initially, there will be a controlled crossing point which will close the path for limited times during the day to allow construction traffic to move safely into and out of the site. The controlled crossing point is planned to be a temporary measure until the contractor can implement a diversion of the path (at the Broughton Road end) to create a direct vehicle access into the former bowling greens site, reducing the need for temporary closures of St. Mark's Path. During construction, St. Mark's Path will occasionally require to close completely for a few days at a time to allow improvement works to the path to be undertaken safely. CCG will provide advance notice of these closures and ensure that diversion routes to suit all abilities are adequately signed and communicated.
CCG produces a regular construction update newsletter for the community, which has further information on things like site activity, working schedules, and community engagement. All newsletters will be available to view on CCG’s website.
Former waste transfer station
The former waste transfer station will be the last part of the site to be developed. It is planned to deliver over 200 homes, along with a new civic square next to Powderhall Stables.
A previous planning application for the former waste transfer station was withdrawn in 2024 due to concerns around viability. The Council is now reviewing options for the best strategy for developing the former waste transfer station. Information on future planning applications for the development of the former waste transfer station will be provided on this page.