181 Pleasance
Posted on: July 8, 2026
Office loss and neighbourhood balance raise concerns over proposed aparthotel conversion
Address: 181 Pleasance Edinburgh EH8 9RU
Proposal: Change of use and alterations of office building (Class 4) to Aparthotel (Sui Generis) with 23 suites.
Reference: 26/02219/FUL
Closing date for comments: Fri 10 Jul 2026
Determination date: Fri 04 Aug 2026
Result: Pending
Cockburn Response
The Cockburn Association recognises that the reuse of existing buildings can represent a sustainable approach to development. However, while the adaptation of the building itself is welcomed in principle, we have significant concerns regarding the proposed change of use from offices to a 23-unit aparthotel.
Our principal concern is the cumulative effect of the continuing growth of visitor accommodation within the Southside. This part of Edinburgh already accommodates a substantial concentration of hotels, aparthotels, purpose-built student accommodation and other visitor-related uses. Although each application is determined on its own merits, planning decisions should also consider the cumulative impact of incremental change on the character and function of the area.
The Southside derives much of its vitality from its mix of residential, commercial, educational, cultural and employment uses. The continued loss of office accommodation risks weakening that balance and reducing the diversity of everyday activity that supports a successful neighbourhood.
The application should therefore provide robust evidence that continued employment use is no longer viable and explain why visitor accommodation represents the most appropriate long-term use of the building. In our view, the supporting information does not yet demonstrate that this important question has been adequately addressed.
The Association also considers that servicing, waste management and operational arrangements should be carefully assessed to ensure that the proposal does not adversely affect neighbouring occupiers or the surrounding public realm.
While we recognise the benefits of reusing the existing building, we consider that insufficient justification has been provided for the permanent loss of employment floorspace and that the cumulative implications for the Southside’s mixed-use character have not been adequately addressed.
For these reasons, the Cockburn Association objects to the application as submitted and requests that the Council seek further evidence on employment need, cumulative impact and neighbourhood balance before determining the proposal.