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Strawberry Gardens Public Exhibition

Leazes Park Road

Urban regeneration specialist, Vita Group is bringing forward a proposal for the former Barker and Stonehouse building, the change of use of the Strawberry House for use as student accommodation, and the erection of a Purpose Built Student Accommodation.

This consultation page will be kept up to date with details of the proposal throughout the planning programme including events you can attend and opportunities to share feedback.

A detailed outline of the plans can be seen through the supporting PDF, the proposal is to create a high-quality purpose-built student accommodation and affordable housing, supported with better public realm and a retail / leisure unit.

Detail of proposal

The Proposed Development comprises the demolition of the former Barker & Stonehouse building, the change of use of the Strawberry House for use as student accommodation, and the erection of a Purpose-Built Student Accommodation building comprising up to 250 units at the Site.

The layout of the Proposed Development sees the new PBSA building take an inverted L-shape which allows for an area of public realm to be created in the east of the Site and an area of external amenity space to the west of the new building. This also allows for Strawberry House to be retained and celebrated, which is a significant benefit of the scheme.

It is proposed that the PBSA building will extend to 6-storeys in the south and step down to 5-storeys in the north. A 2.5-storey glazed link will connect the new PBSA building to Strawberry House, which will be internally refurbished to provide student accommodation and amenity space. The height is considered to be in keeping with the height of St James’ View to the west, although there is a level change between these two sites, whilst the proposed PBSA will be smaller than Vita Student’s 9-storey Strawberry Place PBSA scheme on the opposite side of the road.

The proposed scheme would provide up to 250 bedrooms. In addition to bedrooms, the ground floor is proposed to comprise a substantial amount of amenity space. These areas far exceed many other PBSA operators which provide significantly less amenity space per bedspace. A further area of external amenity space is also to be provided.

The scheme is proposed to be car free with the exception of accessible parking but will provide for drop off and servicing.

View Full Proposal (PDF)
Leazes Park Road

Timeline

11th October
Consultation PDF
available to view
11th October (4-7pm)
First Consultation
Event
November 2023
Submission of planning application
Spring 2024
Determination of planning application
Vita Student Strawberry Place, Strawberry Place, Newcastle, NE1 4PQ

Feedback Form

1. Do you support the proposed demolition of the vacant, former Barker and Stonehouse building?
2. Do you support the development of student accommodation in this area?
3. Are you supportive of the design approach?
4. Are you supportive of the inclusion of Strawberry House within the scheme?
5. Do you support the areas of public realm and landscaping to Leazes Park Road?
6. Do you have any additional comments you would like to make on the proposals?

By submitting your details via this online form we may contact you in future in relation to this planning application and other Vita Group news. You can view our legal notice here.

View from Calton Hill
View from Regent Road
Vita Student - Iona Street
Vita Student - Iona Street
Vita Student Interior
Vita Student Interior
Vita Student Social
Vita Student Bedroom
Key Concern
Our Response
Concern regarding the use of the site for student accommodation.
Student accommodation, along with affordable housing and a commercial unit, provides a viable alternative to the consented build-to-rent use in light of the Scottish Government ‘rent freeze’ introduced in September 2022. There is an established need for additional purpose built student accommodation in Edinburgh.
Concern regarding the impact of building height on sunlight access to neighbouring buildings.
A Daylight, Sunlight and Overshadowing Report is being undertaken to assess impact on neighbouring properties to ensure any impact is within acceptable standards.
Concern regarding the impact of building height and massing on streetscape views and outlook of neighbouring buildings.
The proposals will be supported by a Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment to assess the height of the proposed development in local and long-distance views. The Visualisations shown on board 7, taken from both the north and south of Sibbald Walk, show that the top storey will not be visible from these locations.

More detailed work and assessments are currently being undertaken which are helping to inform and shape the final design proposals.

The comments received from this second public consultation event will be considered before submitting a formal application to the City of Edinburgh Council. Comments received throughout the pre-application consultation stage, and how they have been considered, will be detailed in the Pre-Application Consultation Report which will be submitted in support of the forthcoming application.

Place & Community

01

Place & Community

Create thriving communities, a principle which has been with us from the very start, it’s simply not good enough to create a building without thinking carefully about its context and the wider impact it has on its surrounding neighbourhood. We’re driven to create communities within communities as well as respond to and complement the neighbourhood and its eco-system. Creating tomorrow’s city living means we must be part of the DNA of that city and partnering with local authorities. This includes connecting with local suppliers, talent, charities, and businesses, collaborating on important community initiatives and helping to develop surrounding spaces. It’s not just about helping to regenerate cities; it’s helping them to function effectively.

Society

08

Society

We know that in helping to create tomorrow’s cities, we have a responsibility to have the best possible impact on society as a whole. As such, we won’t be afraid to challenge those things which just don’t sit right. So don’t be surprised to see us take a knee at the start of a sporting event, celebrate key religious holidays, and fly the rainbow flag for pride. To create a better tomorrow, we must stand together today.

Environment

03

Environment

To really effect change and create a platform in which cities thrive, we know we need to look beyond building design, carbon creation and energy usage. We must tackle bigger issues and help change behaviours, as such we’re creating initiatives which help users across the platform understand the role they can play in reducing our impact on the world.

Sustainable Operations

04

Sustainable Operations

Continually reduce our use of the planet’s valuable resources, working towards net-zero carbon, sourcing green energies and reducing non-recyclable waste.

Building Design

05

Building Design

Building design – create a harmonic balance between buildings, the environment and their users. Constantly looking at ways we can improve efficiency (reducing U and Y values), reduce embodied carbon through production whilst ensuring wellbeing through design and innovation to create high performing buildings which enable their occupants to live more healthily and productively. It includes elements such as air quality, sustainable construction and amenities.

Governance

06

Governance

Applying best practice and the highest standards and ethics to everything we do. From how we manage personal data to how we conduct our business in every aspect of the corporate and consumer realm. Our policies and practices ensure we’re constantly reviewing, auditing and ensuring statutory compliance and principled integrity. We are guided by best-in-class professional advisory firms in developing and reviewing our corporate policies, as well as following national guidance on health and safety and sector-specific codes of practice to ensure we maintain the state of the art.

Welfare & Wellbeing

07

Welfare & Wellbeing

Provide a welfare and wellbeing care package for all our people to access. Ensure every resident feels welcome, is part of the community and has the best possible opportunity to thrive incorporating physical and mental wellbeing. This includes constantly evolving our services such as the duty of care charter, onboarding events, our state-of-the-art gyms and free to use bikes.

Talent

02

Talent

Create a culture and environment which allows our colleagues to thrive. We recruit the very best people and give them the opportunity to be better. From our fair pay policies and flexible working, to personal development programmes, life shaping experiences, and inclusive recruitment, everyone has the best opportunity to thrive.