A proposed development that would provide 3,000 new homes on the site of Edinburgh Airport’s disused runway has received outline planning permission from the City of Edinburgh Council.

Led by Crosswind Developments, the “Elements Edinburgh” site would also feature 500,000 sq ft of commercial space as well as hotels. Around half of the land will be protected for open space.

The development, which will support up to 4,500 jobs, will transform a 29-hectare disused brownfield site, providing affordable and energy-efficient homes at a time of acute housing need for the city. The site would also provide crucial infrastructure, including a new primary school.

The decision follows the recent approval of the adjacent West Town development, which is expected to deliver 7,000 homes on a neighbouring site. The two developments combined will see 10,000 new homes built.

Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan said the plan demonstrated “well thought out principles of placemaking” while Councillor Neil Gardiner said it “takes traditional Edinburgh… a high-density city with good open spaces… into the 21 st century.”

Councillor Tim Jones said: “We desperately need more homes and you’re providing them. A lot of thought and hard work has gone into this application.” Councillor Joanna Mowat added that the application “ticks all our boxes” and said “it’s nice when the developers make it easy for us”.

Crosswind Developments CEO John Watson said: “After many years working with the local government and our neighbours, this approval marks a critical moment for West Edinburgh, and the city more widely, allowing us all to take the next step towards delivering new homes the city so desperately needs.”