The team behind revised plans for a development of the Scotmid store at Gorgie Road have welcomed the positive response they have received from both residents and local businesses.
Scotmid and developer and operator Structured House Group held two Public Information Days last week (Tuesday and Wednesday 6 and 7 November) at Stenhouse Church to show alterations to its original plans for a new state-of-the-art store and managed student accommodation.
The refreshed plans received the support of more than 100 local residents and businesses at the two-day event. Changes included a reduction of the amount of student accommodation by almost 10% and a significant reduction in the scale of the development.
The original public consultation took place in March and, following comments from the Edinburgh Urban Design Panel and the Planning Department, the team were eager to showcase the updated plans to the local community.
The development will be the first of its kind in Scotmid’s 159-year-history – something that the Society’s Head of Property, Development and Facilities Maurissa Fergusson was keen to share with the local community.
Maurissa said: “It is very important to us at Scotmid and our partners in the development, Structured House Group that we listen, respond and share our revised plans with the local community, residents, the Community Council, local businesses and our staff at Gorgie Road.
“We are encouraged by the response we’ve had and the support of more than 100 voices from the local community to our revised plans. Scotmid has served the local community for more than 150 years and our aim is to continue to do so and bring added investment and benefit to the area.
“Community is at the heart of everything we do and by listening and responding to those we serve, we will continue to engage with everyone throughout this progress as we hope to bring a considerable investment and a new state-of-the-art store to the local community.”
Brian Smith, Operations Director at Structured House Group, added: “We were keen to hold the Information Days to discuss in detail with the public and local businesses the considerations and changes we have made to the proposal. We hope to invest £15 million in the development and to see a revival in the site. We were encouraged to hear from all those who visited us over the two days and to share our plans for the proposed managed apartments and what we hope this can bring to the local area.”
To view the plans for the new fit-for-purpose Scotmid (4500 sqft) with 139 student apartments go to 18/03365/FUL.