Flats plan raise the Eyre of residents

PEOPLE LIVING near Eyre Place submitted a formal response to the consultation by CA Student Living who plan to build a six storey block of 210 student flats on a gap site there.

The pre planning consultation has now ended and the Eyre Place residents say that nearly all residents are either opposed or strongly opposed to the development. Their comments to the developers say that building 200 student flats on this site would have a “disastrous” effect on their living environment, local amenities, public transport, traffic and primary healthcare facilities.

They point out that while they realised the former Jewsons site would be developed they had envisaged sustainable family housing would be built there, and that they would welcome new permanent neighbours joining the community. Locals have also explained to The Edinburgh Reporter that with four student developments in the area - where there are no universities or colleges within a 20 minute walk - it is difficult to understand the need.

A spokesperson said: “As a longestablished community, we are aggrieved that no representative of CA Ventures communicated with the Canonmills residents about the proposal of student flats before preparing the Public Consultation Document showing bed numbers, architectural drawings, and landscape proposals. Had the developer, or its representative, met with the community they would have understood the breadth of anger and resistance throughout Canonmills that the proposal has generated. Fundamentally, the majority of the community in Canonmills does not want 200+ beds of student accommodation built on 72-72 Eyre Place.”