PBSA Dundee Street & Dundee Terrace
Posted on: March 1, 2024
The current proposals are simply too large and bulky to support
Address: 185 – 187 Dundee Street & 4/5 Dundee Terrace Edinburgh EH11 1DH
Proposal: Demolition of existing buildings and erection of student accommodation (Sui Generis) with commercial /retail floorspace (Class 1A) and associated amenity space, landscaping, and cycle parking.
Reference24/00211/FUL
Closing date for comments: Fri 01 Mar 2024
Determination date: Wed 29 May 2024
Cockburn Response
Whilst we accept that this is a development site albeit a somewhat constrained and constricted one.
However, as they stand, the current proposals are simply too large and bulky to support, with indifferent architectural content and poor siting in the local neighbourhood.
We have a neutral view in terms of the suitability of this site for student accommodation, but would prefer to see much less studio accommodation and more “flats”, which could be sustainably repurposed as mainstream housing if there is a shift in the market and a downturn in the demand for PBSA,
The amount of existing and approved student accommodation already present in the local community must be an important factor when assessing the cumulative impact of any further student accommodation provision.
We also advocate the application of a City Plan 2030 policies that suggest student housing sites should also provide a 35% affordable housing component, especially given the declared ‘Housing Emergency’.