Council gets Gracemount rebuilding going with a bang

10.52.47am GMT Wed 28th Oct 2009

Council Leader Jenny Dawe ready to help demolish one of the three blocks at Gracemount

The Liberal Democrat led city council has started the redevelopment that will lead to the first new council homes in Edinburgh for decades. On Sunday 25 October Garvald, Soutra and Fala Courts were demolished by controlled explosion.

Schoolboy Robert Millar, 11, pushed the button which brought down Garvald, Soutra and Fala Courts. The blocks, built in 1962, had contained 246 flats and will be replaced by 220 new homes on the site along with a play park and open space.

Council leader Jenny Dawe said: "The blowdown was a truly spectacular sight - and all went as planned, which is credit to all those involved. I know that many people will have fond memories of the flats at Gracemount but now we can look to the future as we drive to create new homes for the 21st century."

After extensive community consultation during the spring/ summer of 2009, the final masterplan for Gracemount was submitted to the Planning Department and outline planning permission was granting by the Planning Committee at its meeting on 16th September 2009. The masterplan has been created to reflect many of the aspirations of those that we consulted; seeking to achieve a sustainable design for this area. Detailed planning permission has yet to be granted.

South Edinburgh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson Fred Mackintosh said, "This major change to the south Edinburgh skyline is the most prominent marker of the changes being delivered by the Council. I think it fantastic that we are delivering the first new Council Houses in the city for years at Gracemount. We need more Council Houses within the city."

Related Links:

Watch the triple blowdown on U Tube.

Find out more about the Council's plans for new homes at Gracemount.