Public given say on Edinburgh B-listed building set to become a car-free student complex

Public to be given a say on new student residential development on the site of the former Tynecastle High School.

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The S1 Developments project will regenerate the city site, which has lain vacant for over a decade, into a car free student development, while retaining historic elements of the B-listed building.

A full assessment of the school building on McLeod Street in Gorgie found that student accommodation was the most effective use of the site than residential accommodation.

Pland for new student residential development at Edinburgh's former Tynecastle High School site.

Proximity to North British Distillery, who previously owned the site, Tynecastle Stadium and the Western Approach caused issues around light, smell, noise and traffic.

A single user operator, such a student one, is able to introduce control measures that will ensure that amenity and safety can be maintained with issues such as noise, smells and air quality easier to mitigate through a single point of control.

It also affords opportunities to install site-wide green energy provision under the control of a Building Energy Management System to minimise energy consumption and improve sustainability.

Council guidance also points to the benefits of purpose-built student accommodation in freeing up flats for families with children and reducing issues of antisocial behaviour.

The development will regenerate a site that has currently lain vacant for over a decade and fallen into a state of disrepair.

The developer submitted a Proposal of Application Notice Edinburgh City Council, in February informing that it intends to submit a planning application for the redevelopment of the site following a public consultation event.

The Scottish Government has suspended in-person public consultation events due to COVID-19 but full details about the proposals will be made available to the public at 9 am on Tuesday 18th May.

An online consultation will take place between 3 pm and 7pm on the same day with consultants available during those hours to answer any questions and receive feedback through a two-way chat system.

Director at S1 Developments Dan Teague said: "We're delighted to be giving the public the chance to have a say on our development proposals for the site of the former Tynecastle High School.

“Discussions have also been held with local stakeholders and community groups to also look at potential to form a new community space.

“The original school building has fallen into a sorry state since it stopped being a school in 2009.”

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