PLANS have been approved for a new apart-hotel in Leith, Edinburgh, on the site of a vacant warehouse have reportedly been approved by the council.
The plans would see a new 29-unit apart-hotel, along with amenity space and landscaping constructed just off Edinburgh’s famous Leith Walk, through a small passageway and alleyway.
Even though more than 80 people objected to plans, Scott Hobbs Planning, who submitted the application on behalf of Eren Properties Scotland.
45 people, however, supported he plans, which would see a disused warehouse converted into a block mostly consisting of short-term let studio flats.
Planners say that the plans would have a positive impact on the area and make use of a disused brownfield site.
Planners stated: “While the proposal would introduce a contemporary designed building, its scale, form, positioning and massing would not result in significant harm to the setting of nearby conservation areas.
“The form and mass of the proposal are subservient to the rear of the nearby Category C listed buildings… offering an appropriate modern addition to the context.
“The proposals are of an appropriate scale, form, materials and design for the setting.”
Objections were raised, however, about the noise which could be generated by the development as well as about the detrimental impact on privacy, noise, and daylight.
People living nearby to the development are concerned that windows in the new apart-hotel will directly overlook windows in private residences.
The proposed three storey hotel will be constructed directly next to residential tenement buildings on Leith Walk and New Orchardfield.
Planners say that the buildings will correspond to two-to-four storey buildings on Leith Walk, Balfour Street, and New Orchardfield.
The hotel will also hope to reflect the surrounding area in terms of material palette, utilising buff brick, dark grey cladding, timber panels, and sedum green roofs.
These green roofs, which will see turf planted directly onto the roof of the building form part of the development’s environmental and ecological strategy, with air source heat pumps providing the primary energy system.
Swift bricks, bee bricks, and bat boxes will be integrated into the design of the building.
In an updated planning statement, Scott Hobbs planning responded to concerns from neighbours, saying that “it has been demonstrated that there will be no adverse impact to the existing neighbourhood amenity”.
They added: “The proposals respect and respond to the neighbouring buildings and maintain the privacy, sunlight and daylight requirements of the surrounding residential properties.”
They say privacy will be maintained for neighbouring buildings through careful window placement, opaque glazing, and nine metre setbacks from residences.
A managed reception area, 24/7 telephone service, and restricted guest use of outdoor areas will purportedly restrict noise emanating from the hotel.
While the site is not listed and does not fall within the Leith Conservation Area, it has been in use since the early 19th century.
No specific timeline has yet been outlined for construction.
