A planning application by Danehurst, in association with local developer Northam Frederick, for high-quality purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) at Beaverbank has been submitted to City of Edinburgh Council.
The application will see the demolition of an ageing warehouse on Dunedin Street and the erection of well-designed and highly sustainable student accommodation. This continues the ongoing regeneration of the Beaverbank area.
This proposed development consists of a four to six storey building, comprising 155 units, with a lounge area and games rooms. Facilities provided will include a large communal kitchen, gym, library, group study rooms and facilities for recycling.
Importance has been placed on providing generous external amenity around the building, including landscaped greenspaces incorporating native trees, hedges supported by traditional low, seasonal planting offering seasonal colours. An east-facing courtyard will be created with seating to provide a welcoming entrance to the site, greatly enhancing the local area.
Largely car-free, the development will have three parking spaces, two of which are for disabled use, and generous cycle parking provision. Located near to major transport links, it will provide easy access for students to Edinburgh’s universities and colleges.
While Beaverbank was originally a largely commercial area incorporating office and industrial units, it has changed significantly over the years, and now increasingly comprises residential and student accommodation.
Situated on a highly constrained site, which makes the site more appropriate for student accommodation, the proposed development will further the regeneration of this part of the city and address an increasing requirement for purpose-built accommodation to address rapidly increasing student demand.
Through providing accommodation for students who would normally go into accommodation more appropriate for families, it serves to free this up.
Additionally, it will provide a welcome boost for local businesses, such as shops, cafes, and restaurants, through delivering increased footfall.
A highly sustainable development, it will employ a no carbon energy strategy and incorporate a number of other key sustainable design features including air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels, as well as green and blue roofs.