New Town Quarter

Cockburn Response

The New Town Quarter presents a significant opportunity to shape a vibrant, inclusive urban neighbourhood at the edge of Edinburgh’s historic core. The Cockburn Association welcomes the intent to bring this strategically important site into productive use without further delay. However, we are concerned that the current proposal to substitute two consented Build-to-Rent blocks with 599 units of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) represents a fundamental departure from the approved masterplan and risks undermining the long-term vision for a mixed, sustainable city-centre community.

The original consent for this site balanced residential, commercial, and civic uses with a clear focus on housing diversity and placemaking. Replacing a substantial portion of that vision with a single-tenure, high-density PBSA model would compromise the neighbourhood’s resilience, weaken its year-round occupancy, and erode the social infrastructure required to support permanent residents. This shift is particularly significant given the site’s location within the New Town Conservation Area and on the edge of the Edinburgh World Heritage Site. These contexts demand the highest standards of architectural quality, contextual sensitivity, and public value.

The proposed 599 PBSA units would dominate the residential component of the site, representing a significant imbalance in tenure mix and undermining the opportunity to create a socially mixed and inclusive urban quarter. Edinburgh’s central area is already experiencing pressure from transient accommodation, and there is growing concern about the cumulative impact of PBSA developments on local services, public infrastructure, and the character of established communities. In particular, the risk of seasonal under-occupation may affect the vitality of the area and limit support for local businesses.

These concerns are not hypothetical. In June 2025, the City of Edinburgh Council passed a motion instructing officers to explore a potential moratorium on new PBSA developments, citing overconcentration, integration challenges, and broader questions about the role and scale of student accommodation within the city. The motion received cross-party support and reflects a city-wide recognition that proposals of this kind merit closer strategic scrutiny. Officers are expected to report back by 10 September 2025. In this context, a decision to approve a significant new PBSA development ahead of that review risks pre-empting policy conclusions that are still in formation.

We acknowledge that deferring consideration of the current application until after the PBSA review carries a risk of non-determination. However, that risk must be weighed carefully against the potential long-term implications of approving a development that may not align with emerging policy objectives. We respectfully ask whether the applicant might instead proceed with the already approved mixed-tenure scheme, one that has consent and could help address the city’s housing emergency through the timely delivery of a balanced residential offer. At a time when there is an acute need for permanent, accessible housing, progressing the consented scheme would represent a clear and positive contribution.

Beyond questions of tenure and policy, we note that the current application includes an increase in the height of one of the residential blocks when compared to the consented scheme. This is a material change that warrants scrutiny. In such a prominent and sensitive location, within the New Town Conservation Area and on the edge of the Edinburgh World Heritage Site, any increase in scale must be considered not only in terms of massing and streetscape but also in relation to key views, skylines, and the city’s wider urban character.

The New Town Quarter occupies a transitional position between the classical formality of the New Town and the more varied grain of Canonmills. The approved scheme established a respectful relationship with this context, reinforcing human-scale development and maintaining a legible street hierarchy. Introducing additional height could disrupt this balance, particularly if it affects long-established view corridors, creates visual intrusion within the historic skyline, or undermines the coherence of the wider townscape.

The Cockburn Association, therefore, urges the planning authority to ensure that the visual, spatial, and heritage implications of any proposed height increases are fully assessed, including through verified visualisations, section drawings, and townscape impact analysis. The World Heritage Site Management Plan places particular emphasis on protecting the outstanding universal value of Edinburgh’s skyline and historic urban form, and new development must contribute positively to these defining characteristics.

We also emphasise the importance of long-term adaptability. Given the evolving nature of student housing demand, any PBSA consented at this site should be capable of relatively straightforward conversion to mainstream residential use. Flexibility in internal layout and servicing will be critical to ensuring the future viability of these buildings and to safeguarding their contribution to the city’s housing stock over time.

While we object to the current proposal as submitted, the Cockburn Association remains open to constructive engagement. We encourage the applicant to explore alternative approaches that retain the core principles of the original masterplan while enabling delivery within a reasonable timeframe. Any revised scheme should demonstrate clear community benefit through public open space, affordable housing contributions, or investment in local infrastructure, and reinforce confidence in the site’s long-term value to the city.

In conclusion, the Cockburn Association continues to support the development of this critical site and recognises the need for progress. However, we are not persuaded that the current proposal represents the most appropriate use of the land or the best outcome for the city. We therefore urge the planning authority to defer approval until the Council’s PBSA review is complete and to work with the applicant to deliver a scheme that aligns with Edinburgh’s long-term aspirations for a sustainable, inclusive, and well-integrated urban neighbourhood.