Planned Edinburgh arts quarter to be moved to accommodate affordable housing

Plans for a mixed-use development on a vacant site in Edinburgh’s Old Town have been revised to include new affordable homes instead of an arts quarter.The proposals for King’s Stables Road in the Grassmarket area had originally included a mix of 59 residential units, a 92-bed boutique hotel and an arts facility alongside a 167-room student accommodation block and a variety of commercial units activating the ground floor of the development.The plans, which were given the green light by the City of Edinburgh Council last year, also include improved public realm integrating the existing courtyard with new routes and courtyards throughout the development, including the enhancement to the setting of King’s Bridge.However, blueprints for the final plot of land in need of planning permission show a reduction in building height and now include 11 affordable flats. The arts quarter originally earmarked for the residential area has been moved to form part of the hotel development after being rejected due to the impact on neighbouring properties.Following last year’s planning approval for the wider King’s Stables Road build, developers Campus Development Management and Peveril Securities submitted revised proposals to address the need for much sought-after affordable housing on the city centre site.If the plans are successful, the flats will have their own enclosed bike and bin storage and will each utilise renewable forms of heating to help households reduce energy bills.The space, originally designed to be on the ground floor of the Lady Wynd site, will now be in a hotel.