Ambitious redevelopment plans
As part of the ongoing regeneration programme around MacMillan Square, North Edinburgh Arts (NEA) has now been granted full community ownership in a community asset transfer from the City of Edinburgh Council, with the additional transfer of a plot of land to the north of the organisation’s venue. We are now working in partnership with the Council to create plans for an extended creative and community hub for the area, to be named the MacMillan Hub.
The objective is to create a community and neighbourhood hub promoting culture, learning, work and well-being in and around the town centre. Everyone at NEA is excited about the possibilities this will bring to our community. If you’re interested in seeing further images of the development’s progress, visit the Richard Murphy Architects website.
North Edinburgh Arts receives £250,000 from the Community Ownership Fund, reaching 80% of the fundraising target for the capital development (30 June 2023)
North Edinburgh Arts has been awarded £0.25m for our part of the MacMillan Hub, following the announcement today that communities across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales will benefit from over £150 million in funding to support community ownership of local assets. North Edinburgh Arts was one of nine successful applicants in Scotland.
This award takes NEA up to 80% of our fundraising target for the capital programme, which is supported by over 96% of our local residents, working to keep NEA at the centre of a creative, connected, inspired and inspiring community.
This £250,000 awarded will be added to funds already secured for the ambitious build from Foundation Scotland, The Garfield Weston Trust, The William Syson Trust, The Robertson Trust, The Binks Trust, and the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. Reaching four fifths of our target brings a real boost to our Board, team, participants, visitors, and volunteers alike.
Read our full press release here.
Planning application approved
The planning application has been approved for the full MacMillan Hub building which will join the refurbished and expanded North Edinburgh Arts venue. Together, through this development, NEA and the City of Edinburgh Council will provide
- enterprise, workshop, learning and creative studio space
- an expanded café, youth area and shared atrium
- new library and skills centre
- new early years centre supporting 185 local children
- new affordable homes including outdoor amenity space
This innovative partnership project between North Edinburgh Arts and the Council will provide key Council services whilst keeping NEA at the centre of a creative, connected and inspired community, with our building expanded and fit for purpose for the next generation of North Edinburgh residents. The images provided above give an overview of the planned MacMillan Hub development, and this is the letter circulated to local residents in October with details for the demolition Resident Letter 061021.1. Below is a fly through animation of the MacMillan Hub, showing the outside views and inside:
For more information please use this link to the Planning portal or search using reference 21/02923/AMC
NEA is already a well-loved destination for locals but has outgrown its building. To meet the needs for future generations we need to redevelop as part of this new Hub. To find out more about our plans view the film below. We are fundraising for this redevelopment, to get involved contact us or make a donation.
The plans ensure the accessible, welcoming and much-needed community space, using environment-friendly build and innovative design techniques. The community space will reflect current aspirations, whilst being flexible enough to respond to unplanned future demand.
Award-winning Richard Murphy Architects were appointed by Robertsons Construction, with the Council and NEA, to design the MacMillan Hub. Working together we aim to start this innovative and ambitious build early in 2022, to complete and open at the end of 2023.
For further information please contact Kate Wimpress, NEA, director@northedinburgharts.co.uk or Nick Cairns, City of Edinburgh Council, nick.cairns@edinburgh.gov.uk
Other useful links about our story, Community Asset Transfer and plans:
NEA receives Foundation Scotland’s Investing in Enterprise Fund – Sep 2022
Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund-Press Release-Dec2021
North Edinburgh Arts secures Scottish Land Funs-Press Release
NEA to become a community owned hub-Press Release
NEA Business Plan 2020 – Community Enterprise
Thank you to our supporters
North Edinburgh Arts 