TWO high-rise towers housing 708 students could dominate the Gorgie skyline, it has been warned.
Plans for the ambitious development, including 164 flats, a new veterinary practice and 850sq m of retail space, have now been submitted to Edinburgh City Council.
And concerns have already been raised about the size of the student accommodation
blocks, which would tower above existing buildings in the area.
The proposed 12 and 14-storey towers would contain 12 double studio flats, four four-bedroom flats and 136 five-bedroom flats for students at colleges and universities across the Capital.
They would also include a communal lounge and laundry room, rooftop garden, 47 car parking spaces and a secure cycle shelter.
Developers Kenmore said the high rises would "act as a landmark to the redevelopment of this part of the city".
And while the plans to regenerate the area have been welcomed by local councillors, the size of the tower blocks has caused concern. SNP councillor for Sighthill/Gorgie, Nick Elliott-Cannon, said there were questions to be asked about the visual and traffic implications of such a large development, as well as a lack of car parking in the area.
He said: "The pressure on housing generally across the city is a problem and anything that alleviates that should be welcomed, but 12 storeys is rather high and I would have some concerns."
The site, opposite the British Telecom offices on Gorgie Road, was historically a corn mill, before being used by Cox's glue factory in the 19th century, then later by match makers Bryant and May.
Under the proposals, the existing shops, warehouses and flats would be demolished to make way for the two high rises, as well as new shops including a replacement veterinary practice with 12 private flats above.
While open space around the development would be limited because of the nature of the site, some landscaped areas would be included, along with balconies on some private flats and a decked roof area for the student flats.
The plans also include the provision of a new pedestrian link to the Garvald charity factory, which provides day-care facilities and workshops in confectionery, puppetry, joinery, furniture restoration and tools for adults with learning disabilities.
Joanna Coleman, Lib Dem councillor for the area, said: "As long as it is well managed by a reputable company, it might be quite good for the area."
The plans for the Gorgie Road development are the latest to come under scrutiny for their potential effect on the city skyline.
A £200 million project at Haymarket, including a contentious 17-storey five-star hotel, is the subject of a public inquiry.
In April this year, city planning chiefs came under criticism for giving the green light to a nine-storey student flat complex in Tollcross.
The full article contains 476 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
