Plans to demolish former Edinburgh art studios and replace them with two blocks of student flats are set to be granted.
In January we reported how plans were submitted for the demolition of 2-3 West Park Place in Dalry and subsequent erection of two blocks comprising 134 bedrooms, office and amenity space.
The site was initially earmarked for the new development in October 2024 after around 50 tenants were forced to move out of the building the previous year.
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Working Artists Studio Provision Scotland (WASPS) was able to buy the property for £1 in 2021 following a 25-year lease of the two former factory buildings from the council.
The subsequent sale to Viridis Real Estate allowed the charity to purchase Riverside House on Gorgie Road as replacement studio provision, with spaces offered to creatives previously based at West Park Place.
The application is set to be discussed during next week’s development management sub committee meeting where planning officers have already recommended it be granted.
The current building is to be demolished to make way for the student block.
They say it is suitably located, provides suitable amenity to residents, features less than ten per cent studio flats and is compatible with the mixed local character of the area.
The meeting agenda continued: “Due regard is had to the climate and nature crises, with the proposal providing sufficient reassurance that it will be sustainable in terms of carbon emissions, waste and biodiversity. The proposal is considered to be of a high quality design and to be compatible with the local area.
“No unreasonable transport, flooding or amenity impacts are identified, subject to a contribution being sought in respect of transportation impacts. Conditions have been attached to ensure any outstanding issues with respect to materials, amenity and archaeology are resolved.”
If councillors agree to award consent, the existing buildings will be demolished and two interlinked six-storey blocks from West Park Place and Easter Dalry Wynd will be built in their place.
The 134 flats will comprise a mix of cluster and studio flats with office, indoor amenity space and a plant area distributed throughout the building. Outdoor amenity space is also planned to the rear with a cycle store on the lower ground floor.
In response to the initial application, nearly 40 objections were received from locals. One stated there is no enough local services to cope with the influx of residents, and added the design of the flats “look awful.”
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Another wrote: “The area needs more flats for regular use rather than PBSA (purpose-built student accommodation) .There are no universities within walking distance so this feels unnecessary.
“Regular flats allow both students and locals to be housed. Additionally PBSA will need to be expensively adjusted retrospectively if student numbers fall. Flats will always be filled.”