Plans for more than 200 new homes at a city brownfield site have been approved.

The developer reduced the height of the buildings following letters of objection from neighbours who said they would lose panoramic views of the Forth bridges.

The Places for People development with EMA Architecture + Design at Waterfront Avenue was approved by City of Edinburgh Council.

The developer said: “Following feedback on the submission design, a range of storey height changes have been introduced. This has been undertaken to improve the variety along the internal streetscapes and reduce the visual impact of the block at the site entrance.

“The entrance block has reduced from seven storey to six storey and all proposed heights are in keeping with the surrounding context and as per the guide storey heights within the Granton Development Brief.”

It means there will be 211 instead of 220 homes at the site.

The developer continued: “The proposed development for this new community at Granton Waterfront is to regenerate a vacant, brownfield site to provide much-needed housing in a sustainable location which is well suited to residential use.

“The homes delivered will be a mix of private and affordable housing. There will be a range of flat and house sizes, ground floor properties with their own front doors where possible and larger family-sized dwellings.

“This mix of homes will provide a varied community for all ages and stages of life.”

It continued: “The storey heights of the proposed housing and flats will range from three to six storeys, adapting in height to relate to the surrounding residential and commercial buildings.”

The mix includes “flatted blocks and colony style housing”.

One neighbour wrote that they would "lose the amazing view for the Forth bridges", while another said "the new proposal is just slightly better than the last one".


STV headquarters in Glasgow sold in deal worth ÂŁ37m

 

The headquarters of STV in Glasgow is one of two buildings in Scotland which have changed hands for a combined £36.6 million.

LondonMetric Property has sold the broadcaster’s Pacific Quay home and an 85,000 square feet office in Dundee which is occupied by telecommunications giant BT to a single buyer. STV has a further 17 years to run on its lease for the 60,000 sq ft premises while the BT deal on Tayside runs for 17 and a half years.


Pioneering apprenticeship scheme for former mining communities

 

Recruitment events are being held in East Ayrshire for 20 community-funded apprenticeships in a pioneering £1.5 million investment aimed at former coal-mining areas.

The roles are with Cumnock-based Emergency One, which manufactures specialist fire and rescue service appliances. An initiative between the 9CC Group, the charitable organisation co-ordinating windfarm benefit funds across nine East Ayrshire communities, East Ayrshire Local Employability Partnership and Emergency One has provided more than £1.5 million funding over four years for 20 trade apprentices.