News

Planning permission granted for 124-bed PBSA in Edinburgh

Turley provided Heritage and Townscape services to S Harrison Developments, who has received planning permission for a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme on Gillespie Crescent in Edinburgh.

The development will transform a brownfield site within the Marchmont, Meadows and Bruntsfield Conservation Area into student accommodation, providing 124 bedrooms in a five-storey building.

The student accommodation will deliver 112 cluster apartment bedrooms and 12 self-contained studio rooms measuring up to 16 sq m and 25 sq m respectively. Seven accessible bedrooms will also form part of the scheme.

Located roughly one mile south-west of Edinburgh city centre, the 0.23 ha site sits in a key position on Gillespie Crescent, situated close to Bruntsfield Links and The Meadows. At present, the site currently comprises an empty building and an associated car parking area.

The cluster apartments will include communal spaces as well as big, shared living and amenity areas.

The University of Edinburgh’s George Square campus and Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston campus are both roughly a 15-minute walking journey from the location. Haymarket Station is approximately an 18-minute walk from the site.

Gavin Douglas, from S Harrison, said: 

“Securing planning permission for 50 Gillespie Crescent is a significant milestone and brings forward an increasingly rare PBSA opportunity in this part of Edinburgh, making this a particularly compelling proposition.

“The site combines an outstanding location with excellent transport links, extensive local amenities and direct access to local open spaces. The approved scheme is designed to provide high-quality accommodation, creating an attractive, communal environment for students and a high-quality addition to the area.”

Douglas added:

“With planning permission now secured, we plan to engage with PBSA developers, investors and operators looking to capitalise on the continued strength of Edinburgh’s student accommodation market.”

Hannah Tweedie, Associate Director, Heritage & Townscape, commented:

"We are delighted to have supported S Harrison in securing planning permission for this thoughtfully designed scheme in Edinburgh. Our work has demonstrated how our understanding of the historic townscape character can help inform development proposals which successfully respond to the site's conservation area context and reinforce the urban grain and local character, transforming a brownfield site into vibrant student accommodation."

13 July 2026