Pennywell & Muirhouse
Bridging communities through a new active hub
The Pennywell and Muirhouse area was built at a time when streets were usually designed around car use. It has lacked community greenspaces and places for young people to socialise. Pennywell Road has historically divided the communities of West Pilton and Muirhouse, with four vehicle lanes making it hard for pedestrians to cross.
The 20-Minute Neighbourhood programme is working closely with the Council’s Active Travel, Housing Development and Regeneration and Granton Waterfront programmes to tackle these issues and breathe new life into the area.
Work includes the new Craigroyston High School, a new medical centre, new housing, a local shopping centre and public spaces. A Community Hub at Macmillan Square features an Early Learning and Childcare Centre for 185 children, a library and skills hub, affordable homes and a new, bigger North Edinburgh Arts (NEA) facility.
This hub will promote culture, learning, work and well-being for the local community in a welcoming and professional community space.
The NEAT Connections project is also creating new active travel links to the centre and local schools, with connected green spaces and areas for socialising. This will make it a more pleasant place to live in and easier to walk and cycle to local shops, schools and services, and will help Pennywell and Muirhouse to become a net zero community.