Neighbours object to student flats at 'Little Venice' site

Residents are objecting to plans for a new development which could accommodate up to 770 students in the "Little Venice" district of Fountainbridge.

The proposed site, at the former Scottish & Newcastle brewery, stretches over 13 acres and would become one of the city's biggest regeneration areas.

The plans, submitted by Lloyds Banking Group, would boast hundreds of homes, offices, student flats, at least one 250-bed hotel, a mini food store, shops, restaurants, cafes and bars, and include scope for other leisure buildings.

Students from Edinburgh Napier University would be housed in the complex, but there would also be space for affordable housing and a section of sheltered accommodation. The first part of the plans, for the student flats and a large public park, have been submitted on behalf of Lloyds Group by the project managers, CB Richard Ellis, to the city council for public consultation.

The chairwoman of the Merchiston Community Council Mariana Clyde said neighbouring residents had been surprised to learn that the student flats could reach up to eight storeys high, and were concerned they would dominate the skyline.

"I looked at the site and have some objections on aesthetic grounds," she said.

"The concern is that any buyers are likely to be landlords rather than owner occupiers and that could dictate the type of use in future. In the masterplan revealed at pre-planning permission, they said it was going to be brilliant, a wee Venice with a strong sense of space and a vibrant community. So many students occupying a section of the site conflicts with the masterplan."

While students would not be provided with car parking spaces, the plans include what the project managers describe as a "significant" number of bike stands. Mrs Clyde said the canal towpath was already used heavily by cyclists.

"We get complaints about inconsiderate and speeding cyclists. (The route] is becoming very popular with commuters, causing problems for pedestrians. With 770 students and spaces for 350 bikes, they could be using the canal towpath every day recreationally."

Philip Neaves, director of planning at CB Richard Ellis, said the height of the buildings complied with standards the council had already established for the area.

He said: "On Gibson Terrace, the nearest residence is 63 feet away, and we've set the buildings further back than when the brewery was on the site so the street is wider than before."

Mr Neaves said the company was still in discussions with the council about the exact number of cycle stands the development needed.

Mrs Clyde said the community council would be discussing the community's concerns on February 15 and had invited the project managers along to discuss them. After the meeting, the community council is expected to make a formal submission to the city council.