Liberton Hospital Community Engagement Pop-Up Event

Overview

On 31 March, The City of Edinburgh Council were successful in their bid to purchase Liberton Hospital and the neighbouring Blood Transfusion Site. This has created a unique opportunity to engage fully with the local community to create a masterplan for the site. The development aims to provide integrated specialist accomodation which meets the needs of the Edinburgh Health & Social Care Partnership, as well as providing affordable homes and private homes for sale or rent.  

The Council will ensure that Placemaking remains at the centre of the development while upholding vision of low carbon transport, active travel, and sustainable development. This will be well-connected through the site and to the wider community, embracing the City Mobility Plan and City Plan 2030 and delivering a high-quality public realm.

The Liberton Hospital Development will retain as many of the existing trees as possible and incorporate them into the green routes through the site. This will allow for connections outside the site to Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park, St Katherine’s Park and Liberton Park, which will promote active travel.

The area has a significant level of public amenity due to the existing woodland and the original hospital gardens will create a fantastic opportunity for a range of high-quality spaces as part of the wider green network.

Why your views matter

The process of submitting a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to the planning authority for the construction of housing has started. Due to the size of the development, a Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) must be carried out.

As the aim of the Liberton Hospital Development is to have a community-led masterplan, City of Edinburgh Council has obtained the services of Anderson Bell Christie Architects to facilitate this. We want to ensure that all views, comments, and ideas from local residents are captured.

Liberton Hospital Community Engagement Pop-Up Event

From 29 January - 8 February we will be hosting pop up events in the Liberton area (weather permitting). Talking to residents about the much-needed new homes that will be built on the Liberton Hospital site as well as capturing views on how they view the area and any ideas for improvements.

Members of the design team from AndersonBell Christie, HTA landscape Architects, G3 Consulting Engineers and arts organisation WAVEparticle , along with the Development & Regeneration Team from The City of Edinburgh Council will be on hand to answer any questions you have.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this new neighbourhood to inform the design. Look out for the illuminated gazebo which will be moving around the Liberton area throughout the week.

Liberton Development- FAQS

What is being proposed on the site?

The City of Edinburgh Council owned site will be designed and built to create new homes. It is proposed that the masterplan will be community led and City of Edinburgh Council have appointed Architects, Anderson Bell Christie to support this.

We will invite residents, businesses, and organisations to get involved throughout the process to help develop the plans.  The team will be running a series of advertised and pop-up events until mid-2024.

Where is the site?

The development is at Liberton Hospital and the Blood Transfusion Centre. This is situated off Lasswade Road.  

What plans are already in place for the Liberton Hospital site?

The Liberton site has been identified in the current Edinburgh 2030 City Plan. You can find this information here; https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/cityplan2030.

What type of homes will be provided?

It is anticipated that 50% of the homes will be for social and mid-market rent and 50% will be for private rent and sale.

When will the new homes be built?

The City of Edinburgh Council expect the project will start on site Summer 2026.

Will the homes be energy efficient?

Yes, the homes will be built to the City of Edinburgh Council’s net zero carbon standard and will utilise zero emissions heating systems.  The specific systems will be discussed and considered with the community during the design development.

Where will construction access be from?

It will most likely be from Lasswade Road, however this will be subject to a contractor’s phase plan to meet health and safety requirements.

What is the Development Information Forum (DIF) and can I attend?

The City of Edinburgh Council has created a Development Information Forum (DIF) for the project.  This is attended by Local Elected Members and representatives from local Community Councils, Resident Committees, NHS Lothian, and CEC stakeholders.  This is not an open forum.  It is an opportunity for key representatives to understand and explore and share ideas, concerns, observations, to exchange views as proposals are being developed, and to build relationships.

When will Liberton Hospital Close?

NHS Lothian are currently developing their strategy to decommission Liberton Hospital.  The license to occupy the hospital continues until Spring 2025. 

Will the closure cause a reduction in NHS service provision?

NHS Lothian are currently developing their strategy to decommission Liberton Hospital.  The strategy includes reprovision of the required services within the city.  

Will capacity be increased for GPs?

NHS Lothian are currently reviewing their GP provision across the city.

Will the project retain the historic structures?

Yes.  The City of Edinburgh Council recognise the importance of the Victorian hospital building, formal gardens, gatehouse and boundary wall.

Will the trees be protected?

Most of the trees on the site are under a Tree Protection Order.  The City of Edinburgh Council will survey all trees on the site and implement recommendations from an arboriculturist.

Will the project have an impact on the environment?

The City of Edinburgh Council will take all precautions and follow all regulations to prevent any impact on the environment or wildlife.  A landscape architect and ecologist have been appointed to the project.  Surveys will be carried out to demonstrate a net gain of biodiversity.

Will capacity be increased in the school system?

The Council prepares School Roll projections using a robust methodology based on birth rates, housing development and catchment population trends. The projections suggest when certain schools will be over capacity. The Liberton Hospital development has been included in these projects, and the site sits within the catchment area for the following schools:

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/catchmentmap

• St Catherines RC Primary School
• Gracemount Primary School
• Holy Rood RC High School
• Gracemount High School

Will there be sufficient bus services to site?

Liberton Hospital is currently serviced by the lothian bus number 31 in both directions on Lasswade Road. This runs approximately four buses an hour providing regular access to the city and beyond.

There is also three lothian buses number 3, 8 and 29 that service Gilmerton Road in both direction. This runs approximately ten buses an hour to and from the city centre and beyond.

We are in direct contact with Lothian Buses to discuss the effect the extra homes will have on public transportation.

*Estimates