Plans by joint venture partners Mactaggart & Mickel Group, Mactaggart Family & Partners, Millard Estates Limited and Rennick for a site at Dundas Street have been approved by the City of Edinburgh Council.

The new development, comprising 49 flats with three commercial units, amenity space, landscaping, basement-level car and cycle parking and other associated infrastructure, was recommended for approval by planning officers and complies with the council’s Local Development Plan.

The development meets the council’s aspirations for 20-minute neighbourhoods by making best use of a city centre site to create much-needed new homes, of which 25% will be affordable, within walking distance of work, shops, bars and restaurants with a bus stop on its doorstep.

According to the developers, the efficient reuse of previously developed brownfield sites is critical to the successful delivery of the new City Plan targets for homes in Edinburgh. They said the proposal will facilitate a healthy, green and thriving development of mixed-tenure homes and workplaces that will promote a shift away from longer journeys to reduce congestion and increase active travel to help enable a net zero Edinburgh.

The proposed development will not only benefit the local economy, but has strong placemaking and design principles, respects the natural and distinct architectural character of Dundas Street, the developers added. It will also contribute to a sense of place by emphasising the predominantly residential character of the surrounding area, providing active uses at street level helping to improve the vitality of the streetscape, they said.

Andrew Rennick, managing director at Rennick, said: “We are delighted that the City of Edinburgh Council has supported our vision to redevelop this part of Edinburgh in a sympathetic way that will reuse and repurpose an existing development site to deliver an exciting new mixed-use residential development with a host of local amenities adding to the vibrancy of what is already a very desirable location at the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town.”