Last night around 30 locals attended a consultation event to look at the proposed plans to build student accommodation on the ground of St Paul’s church.
Experienced local landlord Robert Mackenzie is behind the £3m plan, which will see seventeen flats and a community room built, was delighted with the reaction from locals.
He said “I have been out speaking with various groups and individuals about the plans and people seem fairly happy with what I am proposing.
“At the beginning of the process there were a few objections but that’s because people didn’t totally understand what we plan to do.
“I have been involved in property management and factoring in North Edinburgh for around 16 years.
“A report to the council detailed there was a need for more student accommodation in other part of the city, not just the town centre.
“This is an ideal site for it as it’s a short walk to Edinburgh College Granton campus and has good bus links.”
The seventeen flats will each have six bedrooms and a shared kitchen and showering areas.
The costs for students to live in them will be around half the price of other student flats with each room costing £300 per month.
Mr MacKenize is keen to also use local businesses and tradesmen where he can to work on the project.
He added “Where we can we will use local tradesmen and projects who can work on the project.
“We are also in the process of kitting out the community shop with a new kitchen that was in the church.
“I have also been in discussions with MYDG about the climbing wall that is still in the church.
“I would love that to be dismantled and relocated so that groups can use it.
“The community room will be available to groups to book out for meetings or to hold events.
“I have been managing property in the local area for some time and have never had any issues with tenants.”
If the plans get approved by the councils planning committee its hoped that the first block of flats would be completed by January 2017.
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