Housing

Hatton Village will be an entirely new community. To help achieve this goal a variety of housing types and tenures will be proposed to create a wide diversity of residents.  This will include starter homes, family homes, potential retirement properties plus social and mid-market rent properties to meet Edinburgh's policy aspiration for 35% affordable housing on site (delivered via partner Dunedin Canmore Housing Association). There will also be opportunities for custom/self-build on an agreed proportion of the site to address the growing demand for this approach to housing delivery (in line with emerging Scottish Government legislation requiring local authorities to keep registers of individuals seeking land).

Through a variety of housing types, Hatton Village will establish the foundations of a unique and vibrant community.

Materials and designs of new housing at Hatton Village will be developed as the project progresses but will require to meet all the latest design and energy efficiency standards and will contribute to creating an environment that is distinct and welcoming.

Ambitious new housing targets have been set at both strategic and local level for Edinburgh over the next decade or so.  The city needs more homes, both for sale and rent, to support economic growth and ensure existing and future residents do not face a housing availability crisis.

Building a new village will help tackle this problem in a sustainable way, make the best use of Edinburgh's land, whilst minimising impact on existing suburbs currently under pressure from housing growth.

Full assessment of housing supply issues has been prepared as part of a representations to the Council’s new proposed City Plan 2030.

Transport

An integrated approach to transport and accessibility will form a key aspect of Hatton Village.

As illustrated on the plan above, a range of facilities, services and connections are accessible within accessible public transport and active travel options from Hatton Village, including primary and secondary schools, university and sports centre, major business, retail and industrial parks, international airport, rail stations, tram stations, park and ride facility, canal-side cyclepath and local centres.

Potential options to connect the village to the surrounding area in a sustainable way are being investigated and assessed. 

Utilising the adjacent A71 bus corridor between Edinburgh and Livingston with an enhanced bus service would provide a direct link to key transport nodes, employment and education centres.  Extension of existing Ratho and Riccarton bus services could also connect Hatton Village. 

Upgrading existing services requires a cost-effective approach and sufficient new users to justify the service by operators. Development would assist with making local bus services viable in the A71 corridor between Edinburgh and Livingston.

Full assessment of transport issues has been prepared as part of a representation to the Council’s Choices for City Plan 2030, including a public transport strategy and proposed mitigation measures.

Education

The existing catchment schools for Hatton Village are Dean Park Primary and Balerno High, following a schools consultation review undertaken by City of Edinburgh Council in 2019. Both of these schools are the subject of extension plans to accommodate wider growth so would have scope to accommodate further new pupils in future, subject to financial contributions.

The scale of the new proposal may require a new primary school on site in the medium term but the final solution will be assessed and discussed with City of Edinburgh Council as the project moves forward.

If a new primary school on site is not the preferred option of the Council, there remains scope to provide local community/education uses within a proposed new village centre to allow for a cohesive community.

Full assessment of education capacity issues has been prepared as part of a representation to the Council’s Choices for City Plan 2030, including a proposed short term and medium to longer term approach.

Landscape and Heritage

The Hatton Village site is not subject to specific landscape or historic environment restrictive policy designations. However, wider Green Belt objectives and adjoining areas (including Dalmahoy, Hatton House and the Ratho Hills Special Landscape Area) would need to be addressed in design and development proposals. The above images illustrate the site in relation to Local Development Plan policies and surrounding landscape and historic environment designations.  Full landscape and heritage assessments have been prepared as part of a representation to the Council’s Choices for City Plan 2030.

Indicative Design Framework

As a stand-alone development Hatton Village will be able to create its own identity in terms of place and character. It would remain separate from Edinburgh and surrounding towns while also providing much needed housing, accessible by public transport to employment and services.

The proposal will incorporate new infrastructure such including an upgraded junction on the A71, public transport connections, local neighbourhood centre (local shops and services), potential community/education uses and new greenspace. Whilst indicative plans have been prepared showing a varied density to deliver a total of approximately 1,200 homes, a higher density design could increase overall housing numbers if required.

These amenities provide Hatton Village with its own identity as well as provide members of this new community with local and accessible services. 

The indicative design framework is shown above, which will be subject to further consultation with the local community and discussion with City of Edinburgh Council as the ‘City Plan 2030’ process progresses. The intention would be to create a higher density village hub focused on an upgraded Dalmahoy Road, linking to a new linear park with adjoining community uses. Housing density would be decreased from the centre with the lowest density in the northern part of the site.

Full assessment of design issues has been prepared as part of a representation to the Council’s Choices for City Plan 2030, including a landscape design strategy, drainage strategy and indicative masterplan setting out the key urban design principles to take forward Hatton Village.