Edinburgh chippy could be demolished to build students flats

A popular chippy in Edinburgh could be demolished to make way for student flats.

Plans to re-develop the site on the corner of Willowbrae Road were approved by the Scottish Government in August 2024, and if approved, the much-loved Northfield Fry takeaway would be demolished and replaced with a five-storey building containing 13 student flats.

The plans come amongst high rent prices in Edinburgh, and reports of many students struggling financially.

The site sits near the now-demolished pub, The Right Wing, once owned by Hibs legend Gordon Smith

Architect One Foot Square has drawn up a plan for the project on behalf of separate applicants.

In a planning statement, One Foot Square said: “The planning permission will allow the delivery of independent student accommodation adjacent to the recently consented student accommodation development located at 229 Willowbrae Road. The two schemes are completely compatible with each other, and could equally be delivered in tandem subject to agreement between the applicants.

“The site presents a real opportunity to continue and complete the crescent form of the Willowbrae Road PBSA building on this prominent corner plot.”

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The site, which has been empty for six years, had earlier planning consent for 48 homes but the plan was later changed to provide student accommodation. The application received nearly 130 objections from locals, while local councillor Danny Aston said it was a “mistake” to give the plans the green light.

Councillor Aston said: “This decision is a mistake by the Reporter. Planning applications are not determined by public opinion, rightly. But it’s telling that you won’t find a single person in the local area who wants student accommodation there rather than the mixture of ordinary private and affordable housing that the developer already has permission for.

“Folk know there’s a housing crisis in Edinburgh and decisions like this make it worse.”