Plans submitted for next phase of Leith’s Harbour 31 regeneration

Forth Ports has submitted Detailed Planning Consent and Listed Building Consent to The City of Edinburgh Council for phase two of Harbour 31, a creative and commercial hub on land to the south east of Edinburgh Dock. The development is part of Port of Leith’s waterfront regeneration which includes broader ambitions to create a leading offshore renewables hub within the Forth Green Freeport.

Known as ‘The Dry Dock at Harbour 31’, the project is part of the plan to transform the waterfront site into a mixed-use development that will cater to a diverse range of businesses, from creatives and visual artists to port related enterprises and other commercial sectors. The port will also benefit from the new Edinburgh Trams extension.

Pamela Smyth, Chief Legal and Property Officer, of landowners Forth Ports Limited, said, “Our application for The Dry Dock at Harbour 31 aims to deliver a vibrant, creative and commercial hub that integrates this historical site with its surroundings and will introduce new public spaces and open up previously inaccessible areas of the port to the community.

“Through significant investment, the Port of Leith is transitioning into a leading offshore renewables hub and coupled with this proposed development, this adds to the current regeneration of Leith and the waterfront.”

Meanwhile construction work continues on the new riverside marine berth capable of accommodating the world’s largest offshore wind installation vessels and will feature a heavy lift capability, backed up by 175 acres of adjacent land for logistics, marshalling and manufacturing.

The Leith Renewables Hub will be part of the Forth Green Freeport’s strategically located tax and customs sites which aim to reindustrialise central Scotland, bringing up to 50,000 high-quality green jobs by increasing trade and supporting the growth of businesses across the Firth of Forth.

Commenting on the project, Charles Hammond OBE, Group Chief Executive of Forth Ports, said, “The work under way in Leith will pave the way for Scotland to maximise the supply chain value and jobs from the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round. We are committed to playing our part in making Scotland’s renewables future a reality and the construction of this new berth in Leith is a significant step forward.

“Our major investment in Leith’s logistics and marine infrastructure will be crucial to the success of the Forth Green Freeport. With existing and future offshore wind farm development plans in the North Sea, this renewables hub has the potential to support offshore wind construction projects for the next 30 years.”