S Harrison has secured planning permission for a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme on Gillespie Crescent in Edinburgh.
The approved scheme will transform a vacant brownfield site within the Marchmont, Meadows and Bruntsfield Conservation Area into a student accommodation development, delivering 124 bedrooms within a contemporary five-storey building.
The accommodation will comprise 112 cluster apartment bedrooms and 12 self-contained studio rooms measuring up to 16sqm and 25sqm respectively. The scheme will also provide seven accessible bedrooms.
The site currently comprises a vacant building and associated car parking area.
The development has been designed to respond to its conservation area setting. The cluster apartments will feature ‘generously sized’ communal areas alongside large, shared living and amenity spaces.
Students will benefit from shared internal amenity spaces throughout the building, alongside four private external amenity areas incorporating planted and paved spaces and dedicated social and games areas.
Sustainability features include air source heat pumps, roof-mounted photovoltaic panels and green and blue roof systems.
Gavin Douglas, from York based S Harrison, said, “Securing planning permission for 50 Gillespie Crescent is a significant milestone and brings forward an increasingly rare PBSA opportunity in this part of Edinburgh, making this a particularly compelling proposition.
“The site combines an outstanding location with excellent transport links, extensive local amenities and direct access to local open spaces. The approved scheme is designed to provide high-quality accommodation, creating an attractive, communal environment for students and a high-quality addition to the area.
“With planning permission now secured, we plan to engage with PBSA developers, investors and operators looking to capitalise on the continued strength of Edinburgh’s student accommodation market.”
