Priory House Resi Conversion Set For Approval
Rainier Developments and Corstorphine + Wright Architects are bringing forward plans for the conversion of Priory House, Southside, into residential usage - which will also see £200K of improvements to the Gay Village.
Plans go to Planning Committee on the 19th of November, at 11 am, with approval recommended.
dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Priory%20House%209.png" />
Priory House represents an industrial building of architectural interest.
Built in the 1950s, it was last used as a forensic science lab but has unfortunately lain empty for 8 years, with the previous owner only recently surrendering the lease back in 2019.
THE PROPOSAL
Lying at the junction of Kent Street and Gooch Street North, the proposal seeks to deliver 79 new homes complete with internal and external residents’ amenity spaces, along with secure car and cycle parking areas.
The building will be revitalised to provide a heavy mix of one & two-bedroom homes, in a range of one/two/three/four-person apartments & duplex townhouses. It will also feature a handful of three-bedroom ‘family homes’ - seven of them will be provided.
37 one-bedroom apartments (one & two-person); 35 two-bedroom apartments (three & four-person); and 7 three-bedroom (four-person) apartment units will be delivered overall.
These townhouses will be situated along Kent Street. All three will be double-height duplexes, each with their own individual entrance & stair.
dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Priory%20House%201.png" />
dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Priory%20House%202.png" />
dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Priory%20House%207.png" />
The exterior of the building itself will be maintained but repaired to retain its character. New windows will be installed along with roof level changes to incorporate a lift overrun.
AMENITIES
A plethora of residents amenities are also on offer, predominately at basement level (98sqm), with additional spaces at ground floor & a 330sqm external courtyard area.
Apartments facing this space will also have the added benefit of private gardens—snazzy!
dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Priory%20House%203.png" />
dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Priory%20House%204.png" />
dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Priory%20House%205.png" />
Given the location, 10 car parking spaces, along with space for 98 cycles will be available at basement level and these will be accessed via Gooch Street North.
SOUTHSIDE IMPROVEMENTS
The application is supported for approval subject to a S106 legal agreement - this includes £200K contributions directed towards public realm improvements in the village, with improved CCTV & enhanced street lighting—with the applicant more than willing to help with this.
As the proposal features the conversion of build and has no new buildings, the scheme isn’t required to make an affordable housing contribution.
Over the years developments have drawn many objections owing to the potential harming and vitality of the Gay Village; Priory House, with a blank wall to licensed premises, is deemed to be of a safe distance away to possess any actual harm, although it will implement suitable noise mitigation measures going forward.
Artists Impressions from Corstorphine+Wright Architects