Leith supermarket to be extended into neighbouring flat after plans accepted by the council
Albert Street shop set for extension despite objection by local business
A Leith supermarket is set to be extended into a neighbouring flat after change of use plans were accepted by the council.
Rajah’s Supermarket at 33 Albert Street submitted plans in July to extend the shop into the main door flat next door at 31 Albert Street.
Confirming approval on October 21, the council’s chief planning officer David Givan said: “Overall, the proposal is in accordance with the Development Plan.
“The change of use to retail is acceptable in this out of centre location as this use is already established on-site, it is small in scale, accessible by sustainable transport and compliments the Leith/ Leith Walk Town Centre.
“No adverse impact on neighbours' amenity is anticipated. It is acceptable in terms of equalities, and no human rights impacts have been identified.
“The larger retail unit may create some additional noise from an increase in activity compared with the existing flat. However, retail use is already established on-site and its extension would still result in a proportionally small retail unit.
“Whilst there would be small negative impact on the city's' housing provision, this does not outweigh an overall compliance with the Development Plan.”
The plans include alterations to the flat, removing the existing rooms and the wall separating the flat and shop, to make a much larger retail unit covering 31-33 Albert Street.
While the shopfront fascade will be extended to cover the former flat, with the existing masonry wall to be painted blue to match the existing shop front.
The changes will also see new windows and doors added to match the existing shop, with a new security shutter installed above.
The plans received one objection on the council’s online planning portal, from a neighbouring business on Albert Street.
Kay Investments raised concerns about the change of use due to over-development, the loss of residential accommodation, an impact on traffic flow, and noise concerns.
Adding: “The scale of this proposed development is entirely disproportionate for a narrow tenement side street.
“It fails to meet the criteria for sustainable urban development, actively removes housing stock, compromises road safety on a vital Leith artery, and inflicts severe noise pollution onto neighbours.
“I strongly urge the Planning Committee to conduct a site visit during peak hours to witness the current logistical gridlock before rejecting this destructive application.”
Despite these concerns, planners accepted the change of use application for 31 Albert Street, with the applicant now given three years to begin work to extend the Leith supermarket.
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