Plans submitted to turn renowned boozer left derelict due to flooding into block of flats  

PLANS have been submitted to turn a renowned Edinburgh pub, left derelict by flood damage, into a block of flats. 

The Longstone Inn just off the Water of Leith in Wester Hailes was damaged by stormy weather and flooding in 2021.  

The toilet block was swept into the Water of Leith and owners discovered extensive water damage in the foundations.  

The pub was subsequently closed for a lengthy period of time before being put on sale for £175,000. 

Now, plans have been submitted to replace it with a block of 21 flats.  

Planning permission is being sought to build flats on the site with the promise that 25% of these will be affordable housing.  

These five affordable homes will be mid-market rent (MMR) with two one-bedroom flats, one three-bedroom flat and two two-bedroom flats.  

Comments on the plans submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council can be submitted online by residents and locals but must be done so before 21 February.  

In order for the flats to be built, the iconic Longstone Inn will need to be knocked down to make way for them.  

So far, three comments of objection have been made by locals providing feedback on the plans submitted.  

Plans also show an area of the land marked for “potential second phase development”, suggesting further plans may be submitted in future.  

The plans for the flats were submitted by Fouin & Bell and QB Wood, architects based in the Scots capital. 

New developments on the site are required to upgrade the river walls to meet the City of Edinburgh Council’s extensive flood prevention scheme for the Water of Leith according to Urban Realm.  

The new development would be raised above the current flooding line, and it was also suggested by applicants that it would help block the view of HMP Edinburgh.  

The application states: “The existing site is an eyesore and at risk of further damage from future flooding events and cannot be left in its current state. 

“The new proposal would upgrade the river walls of both the Murray Burn and Water of Leith in accordance with 1 in 200-year flood risk and the council’s Water of Leith flood prevention scheme.”