THISTLE FOUNDATION CONSERVATION AREA

Location: Edinburgh

Client: Places for People

Programme: Completed 2007

The Thistle Foundation is an innovative estate built after the Second World War to allow disabled ex-servicemen to live independently. It is unique in Scotland and has listed status and forms a Conservation Area.

Although exceptional for its time, it does not meet the current needs of disabled people. The Development Plan involved refurbishment of existing listed buildings, upgrading of site infrastructure and a masterplan for new buildings. Major interventions and alterations address inherent flaws in the original design, requiring a strong case to be presented to obtain Listed Building Consent.

92 houses were refurbished and over 170 new dwellings designed as part of masterplan. The works were phased over a five-year rolling programme to minimise disruption as the estate was occupied throughout.

New traffic management was introduced to address increased car use since the estate was built. The pedestrian flows were re-routed to improve security and privacy, and the quality of the external spaces were improved.

The implementation of this Development Plan enables the Thistle Foundation estate to continue to fulfil its original mission in a modern context.