Student accommodation at 50 Gillespie Crescent, Edinburgh

“Demolition of existing building and erection of a five-storey L-plan building for use as Purpose Built Student Accommodation, and associated amenity space, landscaping and infrastructure. The principal, front block towards Gillespie Crescent is five storeys in height and has a mansard roof incorporating dormers and roof lights. The rear block is four storeys in height and has a flat roof.”

“The external finishing materials of the principal block includes a mixture of reclaimed stone at ground floor level salvaged from the demolition of the existing building, blond ashlar stone on upper floors, stranding seam metal roof and metal cladding. The external finishing materials of the rear wing includes reconstituted artificial stone panelling and projecting masonry banding and metal clad roof trim.”

“The site is located on the south side of Gillespie Crescent, facing the curve of the crescent of the four-storey Victorian tenement opposite. The site is irregular shaped and comprises an unlisted 1 ½ storey, stone building with slated roof, which dates from around 1925. The site has a roadside boundary with Gillespie Crescent to the north.”

“The site is located within the Bruntsfield area of the Marchmont, Meadows & Bruntsfield Conservation Area.”

“On 4 June 2024 the Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) dismissed the appeal by the applicant (DPEA ref.PPA-230-2470) against the failure to issue a decision by City of Edinburgh Council for planning application 23/06623/FUL for the proposed demolition of existing building and erection of purpose-built student accommodation and associated amenity space, landscaping and infrastructure.”

“On 4 June 2024 the Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) dismissed the appeal by the applicant (DPEA ref.CAC-230-208) and refused to grant conservation area consent against the failure to issue a decision by City of Edinburgh Council for conservation area consent application 23/06624/CON for the proposed substantial demolition of the existing building.”

“NAME: Tollcross Community Council COMMENT: Objection. DATE:”

“NAME: Historic Environment Scotland COMMENT: No objection. DATE:”

“− loss of building that contributes to character and appearance of the conservation area. − carbon cost of demolishing the existing building. − architectural form, design and materials out of keeping with the character and appearance of the conservation area. − overly dense development amounting to an over-development of site. − building is too large, too tall, too blocky. − traffic Impact, parking congestion, exacerbated by low parking.”

“− revisions to original scheme are minimal and previous objections still apply − DPEA reporter's reasons for refusal of previous applications have not been addressed − uncertainty over future use of the proposed building − over development − building too high and is of excessive scale and massing, harmful to the Conservation Area − light pollution and concern about impact of this on bats − incompatible with neighbouring residential uses, including sheltered housing for…”

“25/02255/FUL – Report by the Chief Planning Officer To REFUSE planning permission for the reasons set out in section C of the report by the Chief Planning Officer.”