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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Claire Galloway

University of Edinburgh's Bristo Square student village sparks complaints over 'no application'

Edinburgh's heritage watchdog has raised concerns after construction for a student village got underway in the city.

The lodge on Bristo Square is one five new so-called "student villages”, which are also being erected in George Square, Pollock Halls, Kings Buildings and Easter Bush.

University of Edinburgh are behind the villages, which seek to create the hospitality spaces for students to safely interact amid the ongoing pandemic.

However, The Cockburn Association has written to Edinburgh Council's Chief Planning Officer over the two-storey pop up café, suggesting that it has not been granted planning permission.

Taking to social media, the trust said: "Bristo Square Student Village The Cockburn Association has written to the Chief Planning Officer asking for clarity of the planning status of this development, which is being erected now.

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"Our view is that the project requires Planning Consent and probably Listed Building Consent.

"Our searches suggest no application has been made."

It appears not all students are over the moon about the project either.

The Edinburgh Tab reported that a poll on their Instagram suggested 71 per cent of students think the Bristo Square pop-up is a complete eyesore and said students' their thoughts on the new project were overwhelmingly negative.

Professor Colm Harmon, Vice-Principal Students at the University of Edinburgh, previously said of the project: “This has been an incredibly challenging year for students and we want to give those arriving with us this semester the best experience possible, while also ensuring their safety and the safety of the wider Edinburgh community.

“I am thrilled that we are able to offer our students these welcoming, covered areas to enjoy when they are on campus this year. As numbers within our buildings are greatly reduced, we felt that it was important to provide them with space in which they can safely relax and chat with friends in between classes.”

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