Plans for new Edinburgh multi-storey waterfront block of flats with 104 apartments

A huge 104-flat apartment building has been proposed for construction in Leith’s Western Harbour.

The four-floor waterfront complex will be constructed to “kick-start the ongoing regeneration” off the area.

Plans include five studio apartments, 21 one-bed apartments, 61 two-bed apartments, and 17 three-bed apartments.

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Affordable housing has been earmarked for 26 of the building’s units.

Parking will be limited to 46 spaces, in line with the council’s move towards reduced car use. In its place, a minimum of 199 cycle parking units will be installed.

The complex is about 15 minutes away from the Newhaven tram stop by foot.

The Western Harbour development currently includes an Asda Superstore, Next Generation Gym Complex, and the relocated Victoria Primary School.

Building projects began on Western harbour in 2008 but much of it was halted after the global financial crisis began.

Developer FMG Western Harbour already controls four other sites on the Western Harbour plot for continued development of the area.

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Planning documents state it is “vital” that permission is granted for the 104-flat building as it will “catalyse” further construction and “return confidence” to the area.

Plans originally proposed a 272-unit building, but public outcry in consultations resulted in changes.

Consultations found that of the 28 completed consultation forms, 24 (85 per cent) were against the proposed development and 4 (15 per cent) were in favour.

Objectors felt that the development was “too dense for the area, citing transport and parking problems” and impacts on views and the general attractiveness of the site.

In response, the proposal was significantly reduced to 104 units and development will continue.

The public also expressed environmental concerns regarding ponds located near the site, but developers claim that the "proposals do not impact on the ponds that have emerged" on nearby sites and that an ecological study found "no evidence of protected species".

The developers added in the application: “We understand the concerns raised by some of those who responded to the pre-application consultation but remain steadfast in our professional opinion that this is an allocated site for residential development.”

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