Residents call to put an end to plans for student digs

Published on Wednesday 23 April 2008 10:21

A COMMUNITY council in Leith has called for an end to planning applications to build student accommodation in the area.

Leith Central Community Council said it was time to stem the tide of submissions and that it would take a position to oppose by default any such applications.

It was keen to point out the decision was not to come across as "anti-student", and that it wanted to wait to see how other student flats recently built fitted in to the area before any more were built.

Community Council secretary Roland Reid said: "We should be taking a view that we are unwelcoming to new student residences until we see how others pan out."

Leith Walk councillor Deidre Brock added: "We can't be anti-students per se, but there is a high concentration in one area and when this does happen it can have quite an effect on the people who were living there beforehand."