News comes day after trading update which predicted revenue fall
A 799-home development by Watkin Jones has been approved by Scottish ministers after being called in for review.
The scheme will include 100 affordable homes, 293 build to rent units and 406 purpose built student accommodation bedrooms in Chesser, to the west of Edinburgh city centre.
Previously approved by the council in December 2022, the scheme was called in by Scottish government the following February so ministers could review a number of noise related concerns.
The development contains a number of listed structures and buildings that were originally an agricultural market established in the early 1900s.
The most important elements, as identified by the council and Historic Environment Scotland, will be refurbished around a publicly accessible ‘Heritage Square’.
Watkin Jones said it was in discussions with a local registered provider to procure and operate the affordable housing element.
The development is expected to complete in 2029.
The announcement came a day after Watkin Jones published unaudited figures for the year ended 30 September 2025 showing the firm will post a turnover of around £280m, down from £362m last time.
The firm recorded a £900,000 pre-tax loss in the first half of the year – mainly due to building safety provisions and a fall in transactions – but in yesterday’s update it said it expected to report a “stronger second half performance”.
Watkin Jones is expected to publish its 2025 results next January.
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