Site and context

The brownfield site in close proximity to the Holyrood Campus of Edinburgh University is centrally located in the old town, just off the Royal Mile, the historic heart of Edinburgh and less than 10 minutes’ walk from Waverley rail station.

Proposals

An application, submitted jointly with York-based developer S Harrison, for a Purpose Built Student Accomodation (PBSA) building comrprising 76 studio rooms with a ground floor that includes an open courtyard with sitting areas and planters, internal shared amenity space, two study rooms, a gym, and a multimedia room was submitted in early 2022. The proposed development incorporates substantial elements of the existing historic buildings within the redevelopment along with the demolition of the more recent 20th century buildings.

Current status

The planning application was initially refused by the City of Edinburgh Council in August 2022 but subsequently approved on appeal by the Scottish Government Reporter in December 2022.