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Turley helps secure planning permission for new student accommodation in Edinburgh

Acting on behalf of property and development company S Harrison, Turley has helped secure planning permission and conservation area consent following successful appeals for a purpose-built student accommodation scheme with 64 studio apartments.

We managed the appeal process that resulted in a decision being issued just three months after submission. The appeal was lodged after members of the development management sub-committee refused the initial applications, going against their planning officer’s recommendation that they should be approved. We also provided heritage and townscape services on the project.

Designed by CDA Architects, the scheme, on East Newington Place, off Newington Road will see an old, disused commercial unit demolished and the site redeveloped into a modern, energy-efficient 4-storey building with on-site management.

East Newington Place is located close to the main city centre campus of the University of Edinburgh and within easy reach of the amenities on Newington Road. As well as the 64 studios, the development has separate study rooms, a multimedia room, gym, break out space, cycle storage and a south facing courtyard garden.

David Clancy, from S Harrison, said: 

“It’s the ideal location for a student development, just half a mile from the George Square campus, and a ten-minute cycle to both the King’s Buildings campus and Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston campus. We are confident students will be attracted to East Newington Place’s position, as well as the high-quality studios and communal facilities. 

“City of Edinburgh Council planning officers considered there to be no material planning reasons to justify refusal and that our designs will preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area. They also stated that the development will not result in an excessive concentration of students in the locality. Conclusions the Reporter agreed with.”

With a fabric first approach, the development will have full LED lighting, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and utilise air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels. David added: 

“The scheme has excellent energy efficient credentials and the high-quality building materials will reflect and be sympathetic to the surrounding buildings. Its height is also more in keeping with other buildings in the local area and it’s a positive result that will see a disused brownfield site get a fresh new future.” 

Demolition work will start next month, and work is due to start on site in spring 2023, with studios being ready for occupation for September 2024.

16 September 2022

Image courtesy of Smithdimes Visualisation