172-bed student accommodation at 140 Causewayside, Edinburgh

“The site's boundary is formed in a parallelogram shape. The site is generally flat and is currently occupied by a vacant former office premises and an area of surrounding car parking/ hardstanding. A substation is located to the south of the site.”

“Causewayside has a dense, mixed urban character with a range of uses in the vicinity of the site including the National Library of Scotland which is situated directly opposite the site. Other uses include ground floor retail and commercial space, mainstream residential and purpose-built student accommodation.”

“23/07375/FUL 140 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PR Demolition of existing building and development of purpose-built student accommodation with landscaping, infrastructure, access, and associated works. Refused 25 June 2024”

“Planning Appeal PPA-230-2511 140 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PR Application for planning permission 23/07375/FUL dated 18 December 2023 refused by notice dated 21 June 2024. The development proposed: demolition of existing building and development of purpose-built student accommodation with landscaping, infrastructure, access, and associated works. Appeal Dismissed 28 October 2024”

“The proposal is not considered to have a significantly adverse impact on surrounding residents and will provide an acceptable amount of indoor and outdoor amenity space for future residents. Non-conformities with the relevant non-statutory guidance in relation to sunlight and daylight are justified in this instance.”

“Subject to recommended conditions, the proposal is acceptable and complies with National Planning Framework 4 and the aims of the Edinburgh Local Development Plan. There are no material considerations that outweigh this conclusion.”

“NAME: Transport Planning COMMENT: No objection to application. Proposed parking levels are acceptable. General advice provided. DATE: November 2025”

“NAME: Grange Prestonfield Community Council COMMENT: Neutral comment. No substantial comment on detailed proposals. General comment on impact of the accumulation of student housing on the resilience of the neighbourhood and it's role as a mixed community. Comment in relation to robustness of PBSA model across the city overall. DATE: September 2025”

“The application has received 17 objection comments, one neutral comment and six support comment. The comments made have been addressed in sections (b) and (c) above and a summary of the representations is provided below:”

“- Principle of student accommodation on the site, including over-concentration in local area, potential increase of transient population, perceived falling demand for PBSA and lack of evidence that PBSA frees up mainstream residential properties for non-student occupiers. - Refusal of the previous proposal. - Site should be for mainstream residential development.”

“25/04488/FUL – Report by the Chief Planning Officer To GRANT planning permission subject to the conditions, reasons and informatives, and a legal agreement, as set out in section C of the report by the Chief Planning Officer, and an additional condition to read: “Prior to the commencement of development the proposed cycle storage shall be amended to further consider the position and provision of non-standard cycle storage.”