Planning applications lodged with the council’s planning department this week are detailed in the list below.
159 shipping containers appear at Saughton Mains site — after the fact
A firm has applied to retroactively legalise the change of use of a Saughton Mains Street site from general industry to storage and distribution – after 159 shipping containers were already placed there. The application, lodged by Gray Planning & Development on behalf of Kerr’s Property Holdings West Ltd, covers land at 100 Saughton Mains Street. Comments close on 31 July, giving neighbours in the Stenhouse, Saughton Mains and Whitson community council area a chance to object to a development that’s already happened.
18-flat block proposed for old hotel car park in Leith
Plans have been lodged to redevelop a hotel car park off Tower Street in Leith with a five-storey block of 18 flats — a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The scheme, submitted by Nigel Jones Architects for SC Leith Limited, sits within the Leith Conservation Area and includes bin storage, landscaping and parking. A site notice went up on 10 July, with representations due by 31 July.
Former Scottish Widows HQ earmarked for hotel conversion
The former Scottish Widows headquarters on Dalkeith Road could become a hotel under plans lodged by Montagu Evans on behalf of Vita Hive 2 Ltd. The application seeks permission to change the use of the Category A-listed office building, along with a separate listed building consent for selective demolition and internal alterations. Unusually, this one is heading for a full committee decision rather than being settled by planning officers alone — a sign of how significant the council considers the scheme. It sits within the Southside Conservation Area, with comments due by 31 July.
Any property owner seeking to build, improve or alter their home or commercial premises must have the correct consents. This begins with a planning application and usually progresses all the way to a completion certificate.
Some applications for large developments such as purpose built student accommodation have been referred to the government Reporter after refusal by the council. Alterations to some buildings may also need listed building consent which is dealt with simultaneously.
There is a class of alterations which are considered “permitted developments” and will not need any planning permission. There is more guidance here.
The full list of all the week’s planning applications is below:
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