Leith residents fear being 'left in the dark' by planned block of flats in car park at back of boutique hotel
Leith residents have revealed that they fear being 'left in the dark' by a planned block of flats in a car park at the back of a boutique hotel.
Plans were submitted to the council’s planning department on January 15 by SC Leith Limited for the new apartment block on a car park 30 metres west of 7 Tower Street in Leith.
The proposal is for the redevelopment of the existing surface car park and the construction of 19 one, two and three-bedroom apartments within a single five-storey block, including ancillary spaces, bin storage, landscaping and parking provision.
A passenger lift is included in the plans for access to the to all upper floors. The site area is 0.28 acres and is currently used for car parking in connection to the adjacent Malmaison Hotel.
Many residents in blocks 5 and 7 on Tower Street that will be affected by this new build were unaware of the proposals until they read about it in the Evening News.
They have now come together to fight the proposals, commenting and objecting to the development on the council’s online planning portal, however some residents said their objections have not been appearing online and are worried their voices will not be heard.
One of the residents, Tony Harding, who has brought the locals together to fight the plans, revealed the main concerns for the residents on Tower Street.
They are worried about added pressure on the “overburdened sewerage system”, the flats blocking sunlight, car parking at Malmaison, and the intrusive proximity of the new development, with “balconies looking into neighbours windows”.
Commenting on the sunlight issue, Tony said: “The council is required to run a ‘light check’ to make sure all is above board in terms of shadows cast onto neighbouring developments, the planning documents put shade on the blocks 5 and 7 for virtually 24 hours.
“We have numerous older residents who sit in the garden, children who play in the garden and residents who use the space throughout the year. The new development takes away the sunlight and with that will come all the downsides of solar inefficiency.
“The irony of this is that the new development has a raised platform garden with a surrounding 6ft wall that will block out even more light to the residents of Block 5 and 7. They get a garden and we lose ours!
“The whole thing, for me, is just not fair on the local residents already living here.
”And, height, massing and placement is potentially impactful, There are city guidance rulings around how far apart buildings should be as well as rules around overlooking, and of protecting garden spaces. The blocks of Tower Street's bedrooms all face the new development.”
Commenting on the sewerage system and car parking, Tony added: “With recent Salamander Street and Baltic Sreett new-build developments, as well as general increase at The Shore and other areas, Seafield sewerage works is under pressure already.
“Scottish Water are closing The Shore for five days next week to look at what is required to modernise and upgrade the current sewers.
”And, the loss of the 50 existing parking spaces will displace a large number of hotel staff and guest vehicles, with no realistic alternative nearby to accommodate them.
“Surrounding streets cannot absorb this overflow, as Tower Street has limited permit parking and Constitution Street and Ocean Drive offer almost none due to tram restrictions, which will push additional cars into The Shore and increase congestion.
“The development also provides no space for the coaches and delivery lorries that serve the Malmaison, meaning Tower Street will inevitably become the drop‑off and loading point, causing blockages and safety issues.
“Simultaneously, construction will run for at least a year and bring extra vans, workers’ cars, lorries and heavy machinery, intensifying parking pressure and traffic while the hotel continues to operate. The new plans include just 15 spaces for the Malmaison.”
Other local residents revealed how they feel about the proposals. Angela Gilchrist, speaking in the communal garden, will be “left in the dark”by the new five-storey block if the plans are approved.
She said: “I’m absolutely devastated, I’ve lived here for seven years, it’s a lovely block, great little community spirit.
“My bedroom windows are going to overlook the block, and when I get in from work I used to sit in this wee corner and read my books, I wont be able to do that anymore cause of the shadows, its five storeys, I’ll be left in the dark, I’m devastated.”
Another local resident, Bob Thornton, is concerned about the density of the proposed new block of flats next to the existing blocks.
He said: “I think the buildings will be much too close together, having sense of space is good for us, and I really think whoever is constructing this block of flats should take that into account.
“They are cramping them all together, which isn’t going to have a pleasant or agreeable effect on any of us.”
In the planning documents, the applicant said of the proposals: “The massing of the site has been designed to maintain the heights based off the existing Malmaison Hotel.
“The previous planning permission that was granted for the site had proposed a six-storey building, however, through the pre-planning process it was deemed more suitable to lower the building to five-storey.
“The design ensures that the development provides an accessible environment for everyone including the specific needs of people with disabilities and others who may be mobility impaired.”
SC Leith Limited declined the opportunity to comment on the concerns raised by local residents, when contacted through its agent.
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