PLANS have been approved which will allow a 19th century car factory in the Granton area of Edinburgh to be made into townhouses.
Lar Housing Trust submitted an application last year to turn the abandoned building into 28 dwellings, with some affordable housing included.
The Madelvic Car Factory on Granton Park Avenue is said to be the oldest purpose-built car factory in the UK.
The site lies next to Madelvic House, which is used by various community organisations in the city.
The application submitted by the charity Lar Housing Trust would see the old, abandoned factory turned into a variety of townhouses.
The developers, who bought the site from the Scottish Government in 2022, specialise in converting unused buildings into housing, and recently completed a repurposing project at a church in Fountainbridge.
Many local organisations, such as the Lord Cockburn Association and the Forth Children’s Theatre company, supported the plan at Madelvic as the B-listed building has fallen into disrepair.
Originally built in 1989, it was the site of the first motor vans used by the postal service in Scotland.
Many of the original features of the factory will be retained, and the historical character preserved within the existing facade.
Lar’s Chief Executive, Ann Leslie, said: “This is really good news and we will be converting an abandoned and derelict site into fabulous much needed new homes.
“The site has been a local eyesore for many years and has been a target for vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
“Our plans will now breathe new life into the area and allow local people to put down roots in their own community.”
