Hundreds of homes to be built on five-a-side football pitches

The new scheme will have 799 new homes, including 100 affordable homes, 293 build-to-rent homes and 406 student accommodation bedrooms

Scottish ministers have approved plans for hundreds of homes to be built in Edinburgh.

The Chesser site, which is a World of Football venue behind the Corn Exchange, will be turned into 100 affordable homes, 293 build-to-rent homes and 406 student accommodation bedrooms.

The scheme was approved by the City of Edinburgh Council in December 2022 but was later called in by the Scottish government in February 2023 so ministers could review a number of noise-related concerns.

The concerns were deemed to be unfounded subject to several planning conditions and the government has now approved the scheme.

The development contains a collection of listed structures and buildings which were originally an agricultural market established in the early 20th Century.

Developer Watkin Jones said these have deteriorated over the years and now "require significant investment".

It also said: "Through discussion with the council and Historic Environment Scotland, the development retains and refurbishes the most important elements around a publicly accessible heritage square."

The development will have air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels.

Iain Smith, planning director at Watkin Jones, said: "Securing approval from Scottish ministers for this landmark regeneration project in Chesser is another step in addressing the city's housing shortage.

"Following the Scottish government's declaration of a national housing emergency in 2024, our new development helps to address Edinburgh's housing needs across several tenures by delivering high-quality homes in a highly accessible location."