Edinburgh heritage chief claims ‘worrying’ trend of approved housing plans being scrapped for student accommodation
It’s claimed consent for homes is changing ‘almost immediately’ to student flats proposals. Watch more of our videos on Shots! and live on Freeview channel 276
Heritage chiefs claim Edinburgh[2] is seeing more approved housing plans being scrapped for student accommodation, after consent is already granted for mainstream homes. Terry Levinthal, director of the Cockburn Association said: “We have noticed an emerging picture for housing consents to change almost immediately into PBSA proposals once approved.
For example, at 27 Arthur Street, we objected to a change to student accommodation from the approved scheme of 33 apartments as we saw no reason why the approved development as it was could not be used to accommodate students, if such use is deemed accepted in this location. This would address a particular need for non-first year students who are looking for traditional flats to share with friends. It would also build in flexibility and resilience into the building, should there be a shift in the student housing market.
In Sighthill/Gorgie since 2010, planning permission for 2238 student beds has been granted compared with just 1218 residential homes.
“Given the recently declared ‘housing crisis’ in the city, which we acknowledge includes student housing, the shift from approved mainstream housing to very specific and inflexible student bedsits is worrying.
The cost of living crisis with high mortgage rates and frozen private rents for traditional landlord properties seems to be pushing investors away from mainstream housing to the more lucrative PBSA market. In the long run, within an already heavily pressurised market, this trend may not be in the interests of the city.” It comes after the Evening News revealed that approved plans for homes on Willowbrae Road have been ‘flipped’, after developers put forward plans to build student accommodation instead.
The council cited a severe shortage of social rented homes, spiralling private rental costs and record homelessness figures.
Edinburgh council has been contacted for comment.
References
- ^ Visit Shots! now (www.shotstv.com)
- ^ Edinburgh (www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com)