A new 60-bed care home has received planning approval for a prominent gap site at the corner of St Johns Road and Manse Road in Corstorphine, Edinburgh. Proposed by Northcare Scotland and Unum Partnership, this project marks an important step in addressing Edinburgh’s care needs and enhancing a vacant space within the Corstorphine Conservation Area. The planned development, which combines care facilities with mixed-use spaces, will transform a site that once housed Woolworths and has since remained dormant, providing essential accommodation for the city’s aging population while carefully preserving the area’s historic character.

Situated within a conservation area, the design of the care home has been developed to respect and reflect the unique architectural identity of Corstorphine. This approach aligns with the Corstorphine Conservation Area Character Appraisal, ensuring that the project enhances the special qualities of the neighbourhood, maintains the area’s traditional architectural style, and utilises materials that align with its historical aesthetic. The planning approval demonstrates Edinburgh’s commitment to integrating essential care facilities within historically sensitive areas while maintaining a balance between modern development and preservation.

While challenges arose during the planning process, including structural concerns from neighbouring properties and strict conservation guidelines, these considerations have shaped the project’s design, ensuring it meets both the modern requirements of a care facility and the character of the conservation area. This care home development fits seamlessly into Edinburgh’s Local Development Plan, which aims to incorporate conservation policies into the broader urban planning framework, uphold high design standards, and utilise materials suited to the city’s historic environment.

The approval of this project highlights Edinburgh’s balanced approach to urban development within conservation areas, setting a precedent for adaptive and sensitive planning. By advancing a development that both respects Corstorphine’s heritage and fulfils the city’s care needs, Edinburgh demonstrates its commitment to responsible growth in historically significant spaces.