Students' flats and shops to replace eyesore

Published on Friday 14 March 2008 09:22

THE demolition of one of Edinburgh's eyesore buildings is set to take place later this year after planning officials gave their backing to a major new shop, office, and student housing complex.

Under the multi-million pound scheme, the council's former social work headquarters at Shrubhill House, on Leith Walk, which is currently standing empty, would be bulldozed and replaced with digs for 260 students.

More than 60 flats would be created in the 11 million development, which is the latest venture in the Capital to be spearheaded by the Unite Group – the UK's biggest student landlord.

Two new ground-floor shops and three restaurants or cafes would also be created, alongside a student reception area.

The plans have already won the backing of officials, who said the demolition of the eyesore office would "enhance the area" and now face being debated by councillors.

In a report to the council's planning committee, the city's head of planning and strategy Alan Henderson said: "The introduction of a student development with an element of mixed use is acceptable in this area.

"It will also enhance the setting of an adjacent listed building and will protect the character of the local conservation area."

If the scheme is approved by councillors, work is expected to start on the new building by the end of the year.

Residents and businesses on Leith Walk have also welcomed the redevelopment, although some have expressed concerns that there would be increased traffic and parking problems in the area caused by the new accommodation, despite Unite's insistence that the development would be "car free" and would only have cycle parking spaces.

Mike Pottinger-Glass, planning director for Unite in Scotland, said: "We believe our vision for the Shrubhill site will both enhance and be sympathetic to the surrounding built environment on Leith Walk.

"It is essential that the building integrates easily into the area and, after lengthy consultation, we are hopeful of receiving positive feedback to our plans.

"With university applications growing year on year, purpose-built student accommodation often relieves the pressure of the traditional rented sector and in many cases these homes are freed up for families."

The Unite scheme is one of a host of new developments planned over the coming years as part of a transformation of Leith Walk.

Rival developer BL Developments had originally tried to purchase Shrubhill House in order to combine it with a scheme earmarked for the site of a neighbouring old bus and tram depot, but they were outbid by Unite which paid more than 6m.

Unite is also currently facing a battle to get planning consent for a 22m student complex on McDonald Road, which has drawn criticism from more than 100 local residents worried that students would cause late-night noise.

The Shrubhill House scheme will be discussed by councillors at a meeting next week.