Developers have outlined new plans to build student accommodation and private flats on Dalton’s scrapyard in Leith, ten months after a similar application was refused.
In February councillors rejected an application by Stephen G Dalton & Son to build 46 student flats and 46 rental units. The refusal was made on the basis that the scheme did not conform to the city’s development plan.
In the months since, the developers have appealed the decision twice – having lost their first attempt, they are now waiting for the Court of Session to look at the case.
But they have also filed a notice with the council’s planning department that they intend to put in a new application for a similar scheme on the property off Salamander Street.
Details of what is planned are scarce, but the firm says it looks to build student housing, flats and commercial space on the family-owned scrapyard – just as it was in their first application.
Next Wednesday, councillors will hear what information is available during the city’s monthly development sub-committee.
The company first appealed against the refusal to the Scottish Government, with reporter Nick Smith reconsidering the application.
He decided in favour of the council on 16 June, saying the appeal proposal by the developers had ‘fundamental shortcomings’.
But on 25 July the firm appealed that decision again, taking the government’s planning appeals service to the Court of Session – though the case has not yet been heard.
The original application would have housed 230 students in a mix of cluster flats and studios, as well as retail space on the ground floor.
One, two, three and five bedroom units would have been built in the private rental portion of the scheme, with 16 designated more affordable.
Councillors agreed with city housing officials in rejecting the application on a number of grounds.
Officers said the site did not deliver enough homes, nor did it have enough density, for the piece of land.
They added that the number of flats with insufficient sunlight, and the number of units with windows on one wall, did not comply with city design guidance.
Further, they said the site had too many student flats and too few rental units.
Scotland’s environment watchdog also warned that the building would be at risk of flooding in a storm – but officers said there was no way to mitigate this within the building’s footprint.
The developers will hold engagement sessions about the project at Leith Library on 15 January and 5 February between 3pm and 7pm.
by Joe Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter
