£50m Leith Walk proposals recommended for approval

Revised proposals for a mixed-used transformation of Edinburgh’s Leith Walk complete with affordable housing and student accommodation have been recommended for approval by City of Edinburgh Council planners.Drum Property Group plans to demolish the two-storey red sandstone shop frontages and industrial units at Stead’s Place and replace it with a five storey facility compromising 471 student room accommodation, 56 bedroom hotel, 53 affordable flats, a café as well as business and retail units.The developer submitted revised designs for the £50 million project last month which saw the height of the elevation on Leith Walk reduced by one storey to keep the building in line with the surrounding traditional tenement.Planners are recommending that the application is approved when it is put before the council’s development management sub-committee.