Active travel, which includes forms of transportation that involve physical activity, such as walking, cycling and wheeling, is critically important when planning a new community, in fact, at Elements Edinburgh we’ve designed from an active travel first perspective so our active travel routes shape the site rather than fit in around the buildings and roads.

Active travel contributes to the creation of more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly infrastructure, such as bike lanes and walking paths. These improvements not only benefit those who choose active travel but also make communities more pleasant, accessible and liveable, with increased open spaces for the whole community to enjoy.

When considering a new community, there can be concerns around the impact this will have on the existing travel infrastructure but active travel can alleviate this by giving people the choice not to drive. Providing easily accessible alternatives can actually help to reduce traffic congestion in urban areas. More people walking and cycling means fewer cars on the road, which can lead to reduced travel times and less frustration for everyone.

This also has a positive impact on the environment. Active travel produces zero emissions, reduces air pollution and has a lower carbon footprint than motor vehicles. The more active travel routes we provide the less motor vehicles will be required which will contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Noise pollution is also reduced, providing a more peaceful urban environment and a better quality of life for residents.

The reduction in traffic can also lead to economic benefits. It has the potential to reduce the need for large infrastructure projects like road networks and can have an impact at an individual level too with people saving money on fuel and car maintenance. Additionally, active transport networks support local business, with walkers and wheelers more likely to shop locally.

When considering individual benefits it’s impossible not to discuss the potential health and wellbeing benefits of active travel. Regular walking, cycling and wheeling can help to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. Physical activity releases endorphins, reduces stress and allows for time in nature to reflect and decompress which has a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. It improves overall physical and mental fitness and gives opportunities to interact with other residents and contribute more to create a thriving community and sense of belonging.

Active travel is inherently inclusive, allowing all people, regardless of their age, gender, mobility, ethnicity or circumstances to access local services and amenities safely and easily by removing barriers and promoting greater investment in pedestrian safety measures such as pedestrian only areas and traffic calming.

At Elements we understand the importance of active travel and are committed to building a community with inclusion, health and wellbeing and sustainability at its heart.

20-minute neighbourhoods are much talked about and with their aim being to create communities where residents can access most of their daily needs within a 20-minute walk or wheel from their homes, it’s clear the benefits they could bring.

Accessibility is key for these new communities to thrive. Reducing the time and effort required for residents to access essential services, making living there more convenient, and improving quality of life with less time spent commuting and carrying out daily chores, and more time spent on more engaging activities with friends and family.

This in turn can have an impact on overall health and wellbeing, with recreational spaces in close proximity to homes, residents become more likely to use their extra time participating in outdoor activities and leading a healthier lifestyle with less sedentary behaviour.

Spending time socially in the community, increases interactions with neighbours, encourages participation in community activities and helps to foster a sense of belonging, this results in even stronger social networks and improved community well-being. 20-minute neighbourhoods allow people to live well locally with greater social interaction which is scientifically shown to stimulate human development.

They’re great news for the environment too. With daily needs being met locally, it becomes much easier to leave the car at home, walking, cycling or using public transport instead. It gives residents the freedom to choose greener methods of transport instead of being limited by cars. This can reduce traffic congestion, air pollution and emissions, contributing to a healthier, greener and more sustainable way of life.

In fact, 20-minute neighbourhoods can reduce reliance on private cars significantly, resulting in lower transportation costs for residents, less demand for parking infrastructure and more potential for green open spaces.

Inherently, 20-minute neighbourhoods prioritise inclusivity, ensuring essential services and amenities are easily accessible to all, promoting social equity by reducing barriers to access and providing equal opportunities for all residents to meet their needs.

A mix of uses is key to the success of 20-minute neighbourhoods, residential, commercial and retail areas sharing the space, creating opportunities for local businesses to thrive and creating a diverse range of job opportunities within the community.

Our ambition for Elements Edinburgh is to create a new 20-minute neighbourhood on the western edge of the city offering residents a better quality of life, better health outcomes, increased community engagement, environmental sustainability, and enhanced accessibility and equity.

Resulting in a vibrant, well-connected community where residents can live, work and play in a thriving urban environment.

Crosswind Developments, the vehicle driving the ambitious Elements Edinburgh development site, has launched a consultation exercise to gather the views of a range of stakeholders on its latest plans.

In line with Scottish Government 2045 targets, Crosswind aims to deliver a carbon net-zero development comprising highly efficient and environmentally friendly homes in a sustainable, 20- minute, car-lite neighbourhood.

The proposed development, named Elements Edinburgh, would see the regeneration of a 65-acre brownfield site near Edinburgh Airport.

Crosswind will use a public event on Wednesday 4 October at The Gyle shopping centre to canvass views on the creation of a new community featuring inclusive housing for a range of needs and incomes, a new primary school, flexible places to work, facilities and services to meet daily needs, and generous green spaces that are well connected to the city and beyond by active travel and public transport.

Responses to the consultation will also be encouraged through the Elements Edinburgh website, or by post, by Wednesday 11 October before a second public event, to discuss feedback and invite further comments, is held at The Gyle on Wednesday 25 October.

Crosswind announced last month that following changes to the planning landscape –including the adoption of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the emergence of the City of Edinburgh Council’s City Plan – it had been working closely with the council to help unlock this strategically important west Edinburgh site. This resulted in the submission of a new Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) in respect of its Elements Edinburgh site.

John Watson, Chief Executive of Crosswind Developments, said: “It is right that people are given every opportunity to share ideas, offer solutions and express views on how their city should develop. That is why we are launching this public consultation, to understand the breadth of opinion from stakeholders across Edinburgh and beyond.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to excellence, and because planning frameworks have changed in recent times, we will use the feedback we receive during this consultation to inform a new master plan for the site, one which adheres to our four core development principles of sustainability, connectivity, enhanced biodiversity and inclusivity. 

“We will continue to work closely with the council to create a plan that meets everyone’s needs, as we work collaboratively with our neighbours in the west of Edinburgh to ensure a coordinated urban expansion that delivers real benefits to the city and to Scotland as a
whole.”

Consultation proposal can be viewed at www.elementsedinburgh.com, comments can also be submitted via Freepost – Crosswind Developments LTD.

Following continued consultation with the City of Edinburgh Council, Crosswind Developments has submitted a new Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) in respect of their Elements Edinburgh site.

With it’s key-stone position, the 65-acre brownfield site adjacent to Edinburgh Airport and Edinburgh Gateway Station holds strategic importance in the development of West Edinburgh. The vision for Elements Edinburgh is aligned to the City of Edinburgh Council’s new and emerging planning policies (City Plan 2030) and presents an ambitious vision for a new sustainable, 20-minute, car-lite neighbourhood.      

John Watson, chief executive of Crosswind said ‘We’re optimistic as we take constructive steps towards deciding whether we make a second application for the Elements Edinburgh site. The adoption of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the advancement of Edinburgh City Plan 2030 have both contributed to a changing planning landscape which paves the way for development on the site.

We look forward to continuing to work closely with the City of Edinburgh Council to create a plan that meets their needs and ours, we’re also to committed to working collaboratively with our neighbours in West Edinburgh to ensure a co-ordinated urban expansion.’

A public consultation begins next month with an exhibition of proposals for the site at the Gyle Shopping Centre on 4 and 25 October.

This summer we were fortunate to work with Saltire Scholar* Catriona Taylor. Her objective over her 12 week internship with Crosswind Developments (the company behind Elements Edinburgh) was to research the social benefits of urban parks.

We’ve been sharing snippets of Catriona’s research on our blog over the last 3 months, and now, we’re ready to share her full report.

Like our blogs, the report is based on four main areas of research showing the potential impacts across a diverse range of people. Catriona looked at the impacts on inclusivity, education, health & wellbeing, and sustainable communities, interviewing leading experts in each field to gain insights into measuring the possible effects.

To read the whole report just click on the image below.

 

*The Saltire Scholar Programme is Entrepreneurial Scotland’s flagship programme designed to find ambitious penultimate and final year undergraduate university students in Scotland with the potential of becoming future leaders.  

The programme puts students on a year-long transformational personal development journey, culminating in an 8-12 week fully funded summer internship with host companies from across the world. On this journey, students complete impactful commercial projects and experience personal development workshops. Through this, students develop their leadership potential and feel empowered to drive growth and impact as they navigate their future careers.

PRESS RELEASE

Crosswind Developments, the vehicle driving the ambitious Elements Edinburgh development site, has welcomed the new consultation on a recently released draft of the West Edinburgh Placemaking Framework and Strategic Masterplan, issued by the City of Edinburgh Council. It is one of three relevant public consultations launched.

The draft masterplan outlines the Council’s ambition to build a new neighbourhood along the A8 corridor, next to Edinburgh Airport. The development aims to provide 11,000 new homes, along with shops, schools, healthcare and leisure facilities, all situated within a well-
connected neighbourhood. The council is consulting on various aspects of the plans, as well as the needs of the area’s existing residents. Feedback on the consultation will be used to finalise a masterplan, which will then go the Council’s Planning Committee.

The proposed area encompasses the planned Elements Edinburgh site, which Crosswind owns and is looking to develop. Elements Edinburgh promises to bring together 2,500 homes – including almost 900 affordable homes – in a vibrant 20-minute neighbourhood,
generating 6500 jobs.

John Watson, Chief Executive of Crosswind Development, said:

“We welcome the proposals laid out in the West Edinburgh Placemaking Framework and Strategic Masterplan. They represent the kind of ambitious development that will elevate the west of Edinburgh, driving the city forward, creating inclusive communities and
supporting economic growth.

“These are the values that are at the heart of our proposed Elements Edinburgh site, so we are delighted to see the alignment between the proposed framework and our own development. Both plans prioritise inclusive and sustainable placemaking and both put the wellbeing of residents at their heart. We will continue to work in partnership with the Council and offer our full support as these plans progress.”

ENDS

The consultation can be viewed here – https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/west-edinburgh-placemaking-framework/

 

 

 

We want to share our vision for Elements Edinburgh with you and the best way to do that is to take you on a virtual tour.

In our computer generated video you’ll see where we are situated, close to Edinburgh airport and Edinburgh Gateway station providing easy transport links to the city, as well as distinctive views in all directions with longer views to the Pentland Hills, Forth bridges, Corstorphine Hill and the Edinburgh skyline.

Residents will benefit from 42% open space, a community garden, a high quality play park and great places for gathering both formally and informally.

In addition, there will be a network of accessible footways and cycle tracks providing access for all including wheelchair users and pushchairs, along with measured walking and running circuits ranging from 400m to 2.5km.

Our central community hub will be car free, creating a central public space able to support flexible uses, including public events and activities. Car and cycle parking areas and pedestrian and cycle paths are overlooked by surrounding properties providing a safe environment for all.

Elements Edinburgh will be a sustainable community that individuals and organisations are proud to call home, which prioritises people, inspires businesses, and enriches it’s environment to build a better future for all.

 

It was great to have such an engaged and enthusiastic audience at yesterday’s Scotsman Investment Conference in Edinburgh. Despite the current tough financial climate, session discussions were energetic, informative, and positive about the current and future direction of impact investing on people, place, and planet.

Our panel discussion examined the role of ESG measurement and what more companies and investors can do to target their resources for greatest return, whilst identifying the material risk and opportunities for their business. Advice for new investors and companies on
the ESG journey included ensuring transparency in their reporting, taking targeted actions to mitigate external business risks and the need to maintain focus on emerging global legislation and policy frameworks.

A “fireside chat” with our Chair, a former Chancellor of the Exchequer, closed the Conference, providing delegates and guests with greater insight into Crosswind Developments and our ambitious vision for Edinburgh.

Another successful Crosswind stakeholder event reinforcing the power of partnership, collaboration and engagement in delivering economic transformation for Edinburgh and Scotland.

Lesley Sawers is a non-executive director of Crosswind Developments

The Annual Scotsman Investment Conference takes place this week and we are pleased that Crosswind Developments is one of the supporting partners.

We particularly welcome the opportunity to join colleagues from leading investment companies and other experts in ESG best practice to reopen a national conversation on social investment and the role the private sector can play in helping to deliver social impact and inclusive economic growth from major capital projects. We also look forward to hearing from successful businesses from across Scotland who have ESG values at the heart of their business models.

Social investment seeks to generate both financial returns and measurable environmental and social impact, at Crosswinds we believe these are the two sides of the same coin. These values are central to our business model. As social investors we are motivated not only by potential financial returns but also by a desire and passion to make a positive difference to the City of Edinburgh by creating jobs, building much needed affordable housing, investing in sustainable infrastructure, and creating a new 9.4 acre public park unlocking the biodiversity of a unique location for everyone to enjoy.

Collaboration, partnerships, and collective action are key to the successful delivery of any major project, we hope that the Scotsman Investment Conference will help focus our minds on what we can be achieved by sharing our knowledge, wisdom and experience and pulling
our collective resources. By working together, leveraging our social capital, and targeting investment we believe that Crosswinds can make a positive, sustainable impact and help deliver inclusive economic growth for Edinburgh and Scotland.

Lesley Sawers is a non-executive director of Crosswind Developments

What comes to mind when we think of Venice? The Grand Canal thoroughfare, obviously. Its rich and detailed architecture. And the environmental challenges it faces, sinking into the waters which surround it.