New plans submitted for controversial site on Edinburgh's Leith Walk

Developers who caused a massive controversy with proposals to demolish a cherished row of shops on Leith Walk have submitted revised plans for the site which retain the red sandstone buildings and replace industrial units with new apartments.

An aerial view of the latest proposals

Drum Property Group said the new proposal for Stead’s Place followed a successful six-month consultation on the revised plans, including two online events and direct feedback sessions with local groups and residents.

It said almost three-quarters of those consulted either supported or were neutral about the new plans, with more than 80 per cent saying the site should now be developed.

Drum bought the site, which had been earmarked by the council for development, in 2017 and the following yeasr put forward a £50 million plan to demolish the two-storey block fronting onto Leith Walk and the rest of the buildings on the 2.9 acre site and build a hotel, student accommodation and residential flats.

The planned residential development for Stead's Place

Residents and business owners mounted a campaign against the proposals and in 2019 the council threw out the plans despite officials recommending approval. Drum appealed to the Scottish Government but failed to overturn the decision.

The company announced in April it would draw up alternative plans for the site, retaining the sandstone building and later carried out consultations before officially submitting the new planning application.

Drum says its revised proposals will replace the industrial units behind the shops with 146 high-quality apartments as part of an attractive landscaped residential scheme linking to Pilrig Park and beyond. Most of the flats will be build-for-rent, with 36 earmarked for affordable housing. Building heights have been reduced to four and five storeys following feedback from the consultation process.

The sandstone building on Leith Walk will be refurbished and made available for commercial occupation and there will be new access routes through the site linking Leith Walk to Pilrig Park.

Graeme Bone, group managing director of Drum, said: “This new planning application represents a culmination of more than three-and-a-half years of intense planning, consultation and hard work since Drum first purchased the site in 2017.

“Our proposals will now bring an added dimension to Leith Walk and the wider area, transforming what is currently an inhospitable industrial site by creating an attractive, open and accessible homes-led community for residents and visitors alike. This provides a comfortable living environment, away from the busy Leith Walk and linked through accessible and landscaped walkways and cycle routes to Pilrig Park and the rest of the city.

“By retaining and refurbishing the red sandstone buildings facing on to Leith Walk, we are also contributing to the wider regeneration of the local area, providing investment to create an attractive and distinctive destination and focal point which is needed now, more than ever.

"This will continue the traditions of vibrancy and independence which makes Leith Walk such an exciting destination in which to live, work and visit.

“We are pleased that our designs have been well-received by the local community throughout an extensive and positive consultation programme, and now look forward to progressing the application with the council.”

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