New Ingliston Limited has been rebranded as West Town Edinburgh Ltd (WTE) and is now moving forward with its plans for ‘West Town’ following guidelines set out by the proposed Edinburgh City Plan 2030. WTE announced earlier this year that Drum Property Group had made a significant equity investment and taken on a key management and development role with the company.   

The 205-acre West Town site, located between Ingliston Park & Ride and the Gogar Roundabout, is regarded as one of the most strategically important development areas in Scotland. The projected £2 billion project presents the opportunity to meet the housing needs of the nation’s fapital whilst delivering one of the most significant sustainable urban expansions Edinburgh has ever seen.

The area has been highlighted by the Edinburgh City Plan as an essential part of the vision for west Edinburgh to become a “vibrant, high-density mixed-use extension to the city with a focus on place-making, sustainability, connectivity and biodiversity.” The proposal also aligns with the ambitions of the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 4, which was published in November 2021. 

The Edinburgh City Plan further recommends a collaborative masterplan to be coordinated by the City of Edinburgh Council and key stakeholders to drive forward a “mixed-use development for some 7000 homes, along with the commercial and community facilities required for a 20-minute neighbourhood”, supported by “additional active travel and public transport infrastructure and services”. 

West Town Edinburgh is led by a highly experienced board chaired by one of the country’s most respected and experienced business figures, Sir Bill Gammell, giving Drum a unique platform on which to look at the site with fresh perspective and energy as the country emerges from the challenges of lockdown.

Welcoming the opportunity, Graeme Bone, group managing director of Drum, said: “Drum has a proven track record of delivering high quality large-scale communities across Scotland. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver the transformation of the west of Edinburgh whilst playing a critical role in Scotland’s economic recovery and ongoing development for decades to come.  

“Our ambition for the area matches that of the proposed Edinburgh City Plan 2030. The amount of space on the site combined with its superb location allows for a natural extension for the west of Edinburgh, providing a new ‘20-minute neighbourhood’. As well as the close proximity to the airport, the site has direct access to some of the best public transport in Scotland. The tram line travels directly through the site and there are integrated rail, cycle and road connections creating a strategic gateway to the city.”

Mr Bone said that the launch of West Town is the start of a long-term collaborative process working closely with the City of Edinburgh City Council and other key agencies.

He added: “We have established productive working relationships with local and national stakeholders in the private and public sectors, and now look forward to building momentum and advancing our vision for what will become one of the most exciting places to live, in one of the best cities in the world.” 

Sir Bill Gammell, chairman of West Town Edinburgh, said: “We see a wonderful opportunity and important responsibility working alongside all stakeholders to create a pioneering, innovative and sustainable legacy for the future West Town community of Edinburgh.” 

Drum is currently delivering a variety of transformative mixed-use projects across Scotland with an end value of over £1 billion, including the award-winning Buchanan Wharf development in Glasgow.