Process

In September 2007, Forth Ports submitted its outline planning application for the regeneration of Leith Docks.  The application, one of the largest ever submitted in Scotland, will establish the broad framework and principles for the phased development of the area that is expected to take up to 30 years to complete.

Forth Ports appointed RMJM to prepare the framework to guide the long-term development of the area.  Views between the docks and the city and identification of important listed buildings and heritable areas were used as the basis for the natural division of the site into a series of nine urban villages or neighbourhoods. The development of the villages will be phased over time.  Before the development of each village commences, it will be masterplanned in detail.  The public will have an opportunity to participate in the design of each detailed masterplan, which will examine more fully the appropriate mix of uses for the area.

The masterplanning of the first two villages is currently being undertaken by international waterfront development experts RTKL.  These villages will provide the commercial, retail and leisure heart that will help drive a flourishing and successful waterfront development.  RTKL helped to transform the run-down docklands at Baltimore Inner Harbour in America which is now a successful and vibrant commercial, leisure and tourist area that attracts 15 million visits a year.
 
In parallel with the detailed planning of the first two villages, Forth Ports is working with The City of Edinburgh Council on the determination of the outline planning application. The application outlines the amount and type of development – a mix of residential, community, leisure, retail, business and industrial - across the 144 hectare brownfield site.