The City of Edinburgh Council has approved redevelopment on Leith Walk - two years after campaigners fought off a similar proposal.
The council granted permission for the new development on Tuesday October 12, for the refurbishment of an existing sandstone building and demolition of old warehouses to create new shops, restaurants and flats at Leith Walk.
The new scheme will see the retention and refurbishment of the existing red sandstone frontage building with a change of use of units within it to form new shops, restaurants and nearly 150 new apartments.
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The red sandstone building will now be converted to provide a range of retail shops at ground floor level, running down the newly formed lane.
Two residential apartment blocks will be erected, one four to five storey block containing 114 apartments, and another smaller three to four storey block, containing 38 apartments. Both new apartment blocks on Leith Walk will offer a a mix of one, two and three bedroom accommodation.
A new formal active travel link will also be created through the site, significantly enhancing access between Leith Walk and Pilrig Park and connectivity with the wider area.
The previous rejected proposal planned to demolish the red sandstone buildings at 106-154 Leith Walk to develop student flats and other properties, but ultimately was rejected by the council and Scottish Government in 2019.
The site covers approximately 1.3 hectares and comprises a 1930s two-storey red sandstone building fronting Leith Walk and land to the rear which contains six industrial warehouse units, dating from the 1980s. Vehicular access to the site is gained from Leith Walk via an entrance at the southern corner of the site. The site is well used as an informal pedestrian route between Leith Walk and Pilrig Park.
The building was constructed from around 1933 after Caledonian Railways had been amalgamated into the London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMSR). It was designed by a young architect, Horace Gildard White, who while employed by HM Office of Works was permitted to undertake private commissions and act as a development architect for LMSR’s property section.
Granting permission for the application the planning department at the City of Edinburgh Council had no serious objections.
They said: “The development is acceptable in transportation terms and the parking provision; including cycle parking, meets the Council’s standards. Potential impacts on the amenity of future residents in terms of noise and odour can be addressed through conditions without prejudicing nearby existing employment uses.
“The proposal will not have a significant detrimental impact on the amenity of existing neighbouring properties, including residences.
“Subject to developer contributions towards the tram and relevant transport infrastructure, there are no objections on transport grounds.”
