The council is recommending that an application to change the planning permission at the former RBS site at the bottom of Dundas Street is approved.
Previously the now cleared 5.9 acre site was given approval for a mixed development of residential and commercial units.
The new proposals omit the commercial space but include 315 new homes (including 108 affordable homes) and 591 Purpose Built Student Flats. The student accommodation would be run by Fusion Students. A third of the site will be retained as open space.
The developers say that there is still a need for more student housing according to the latest report by University of Edinburgh.
Ross McNulty, the Development Director at Ediston Real Estate, which is managing the development process said, “We’re obviously delighted to get the support of the Head of Planning for these transformational proposals. It’s nearly ten years since the Royal Bank of Scotland initially proposed to develop the site, and we’re aiming to deliver something of which we, the community and the city can be proud. This is one of the last major brownfield sites in the city and we’re determined to make sure that the proposals do no less than make this high-quality neighbourhood one of the best places in Scotland to live in and visit.
This is the largest housing development in the city centre for more than a decade and can help reverse the decline in housing delivery in recent years to deliver more homes, more quickly. These proposals will deliver a more inclusive, and a more vibrant and thriving neighbourhood that strengthens the heart of the city.”
Julian Evans, Development Director of Fusion said, “Edinburgh is a city with a strong international reputation as a place of learning, and Fusion is keen to help improve and expand the city’s offer to local and international students. Recent achievements such as the £750m investment in the ARCHER2 system shows that Edinburgh can lead the way as a centre for research and innovation, but it needs to continually improve the offer to students to remain competitive. New Town Quarter is a strategic site that we’re convinced will attract students away from staying in HMOs and will help enhance the city’s reputation as a place to study and to live in. We’re genuinely excited to get the Fusion brand in Edinburgh.”
Orion Capital Managers bough the site from RBS in 2019 and obtained planning consent in 2021. Following public consultation on the new proposals last year the new planning application was submitted in May 2025.
Construction began on part of the site in September 2025 and Housing Minister, Màiri McAllan said then: “This redevelopment by Ediston and Orion Capital in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town will see hundreds of new homes delivered on site. My ambition is to increase the delivery of houses, across all tenures, by at least ten percent over the first three years of the next parliament.”
If approved then construction on the residential blocks will commence in January 2026 and will be completed by June 2028. The affordable homes will be completed by September 2028 and the purpose built student accommodation will be completed by August 2029.
