PLANNING approval has been granted for a new mixed-use student and residential quarter in the Abbeyhill area of Edinburgh.
The Abbey Lane development comprises a 298-bed student complex and 66 new homes on the half-acre site, near London Road. Artisan Real Estate will deliver the homes, while Unite Students will develop the student accommodation.
Artisan bought the former industrial estate site in 2016 and Unite Students acquired the option to purchase it in July this year. The estimated total cost for the development is around £24 million. Artisan will deliver 66 apartments including affordable homes and retail units built around a landscaped courtyard. The design includes green space, including a courtyard area, green roofs and roof gardens.
Clive Wilding, Artisan’s group development director, said, “This is part of a £90 million investment commitment by Artisan to raise the standards of sustainable living at several prime city centre brownfield sites across Edinburgh. Abbey Lane will be a great example of mixed-use living in a superb central location. As well as reducing urban sprawl by optimising the number of people living in well-designed, energy-efficient homes in low car-use locations well-served by public transport, we are also envisaging what people want from their living environment, post-Covid 19.
“Significant emphasis is placed on the quality of internal space and light to create enjoyable home-working environments, whilst accessible gardens and landscaping promote health and well-being by making nature and well-designed outdoor space integral to the day-to-day living experience.”
