Causewayside Student Accommodation

Cockburn Response

The Cockburn Association supports this application.

We consider that the proposed use as student accommodation is acceptable in this location and that the design, height, and scale of the proposal is suitable.  We are not concerned that the former base of the Scottish Law Commission will be demolished, although we would have preferred if the sculptural elements on the front façade had been retained and incorporated into the new proposal. Although we understand that the Scottish Law Commission wishes to retain and remove this armorial sculpture.

The increased height and scale of the proposal, as compared to the  existing disused office block, will reinforce the streetscape of  Causewayside. The inclusion of new streetside greenspace is an attractive addition, if well maintained.

The existing sterile parking area to the rear of the current office building is to be replaced with a well-designed courtyard garden with seating and cycle storage.  This is landscaped to permit light to rooms on the lower ground floor although careful assessment of the natural light availability for these rooms is required.  The building is pulled back from existing properties and, when considered in conjunction with the courtyard garden and green roofs of the student block, there should be a general improvement to the amenity enjoyed by neighbours.

We note that the proposal is for a high-density mix of cluster rooms and studios.   In general, we prefer student accommodation which consists of cluster flats and avoids single aspect accommodation since this is easier to convert to non-student, full-time residential accommodation at a later date, if desired.