Property development company, S Harrison, which has worked in Edinburgh for more than a decade, has secured planning permission for a landmark purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme on Gillespie Crescent, creating a prime development opportunity in a sought-after location.

The approved scheme will transform a vacant brownfield site within the Marchmont, Meadows and Bruntsfield Conservation Area into high-quality student accommodation, delivering 124 bedrooms within an attractive contemporary five-storey building. The accommodation will comprise 112 cluster apartment bedrooms and 12 large self-contained studio rooms measuring up to 16sqm and 25sqm respectively. The scheme will also provide seven accessible bedrooms.

Located approximately one mile south-west of Edinburgh city centre, the 0.23-hectare site occupies a prime position on Gillespie Crescent, in very close proximity to Bruntsfield Links and The Meadows in one of Edinburgh’s most vibrant and desirable neighbourhoods. The site currently comprises a vacant building and associated car parking area.

The development has been carefully designed to respond to its conservation area setting whilst providing modern, sustainable accommodation for students. The cluster apartments will feature generously sized communal areas alongside large, shared living and amenity spaces.

Students will benefit from shared internal amenity spaces throughout the building, alongside four private external amenity areas incorporating planted and paved spaces and dedicated social and games areas.

Sustainability features include air source heat pumps, roof-mounted photovoltaic panels and green and blue roof systems, to deliver a highly energy-efficient building.

The location offers exceptional connectivity to Edinburgh’s universities. The University of Edinburgh’s George Square campus and Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston campus are both around a 15-minute walk. Haymarket Station is approximately 18 minutes’ walk from the site, providing rail connections to destinations across Scotland and the UK.

The scheme also benefits from immediate access to Bruntsfield’s extensive range of amenities, including cafés, restaurants, bars, supermarkets and shops. The Meadows and Bruntsfield Links are located directly behind the site, providing one of the city’s most attractive open spaces for recreation.

Gavin Douglas, from York based S Harrison, said: “Securing planning permission for 50 Gillespie Crescent is a significant milestone and brings forward an increasingly rare PBSA opportunity in this part of Edinburgh, making this a particularly compelling proposition.

“The site combines an outstanding location with excellent transport links, extensive local amenities and direct access to local open spaces. The approved scheme is designed to provide high-quality accommodation, creating an attractive, communal environment for students and a high-quality addition to the area.

“With planning permission now secured, we plan to engage with PBSA developers, investors and operators looking to capitalise on the continued strength of Edinburgh’s student accommodation market.”

S Harrison has established a strong track record in Edinburgh’s PBSA sector, having successfully delivered hundreds of student bedrooms across the city. This includes the recently completed East Newington Place development and another scheme at 179 Canongate, which will complete ahead of this student intake year.