Latest news with #PBSA
Scotsman
25-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Firethorn Trust tops out PBSA development in Leith Walk, Edinburgh
Real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has reached a significant construction milestone at its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development at Leith, Edinburgh, with a topping out ceremony marking completion of the site's structural framework. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Located on Leith Walk, Firethorn's six-storey asset will provide high quality accommodation for 230 student beds, alongside generous amenities including a fully equipped gym, student common room, cinema and modern study spaces. Work commenced last summer, following Firethorn's purchase of the site in February 2024, marking the first acquisition under its Living portfolio. The company has since expanded its footprint with additional PBSA assets in Hackney Wick and Stratford, plus a hotel development in central Dublin and the One Bessborough Gardens residential conversion in London. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With the structural frame now complete, Leith Walk is on track for completion in time for the 2026/27 academic year. Above: Firethorn Trust marks structural completion of its Leith Walk development at topping out ceremony with contractors, Ogilvie Construction Paul Martin, Head of Development at Firethorn Trust, commented: 'As the first asset within our Living portfolio, topping out at Leith Walk is a significant milestone for Firethorn, and a prime example of our ability to deliver buildings swiftly and to a high standard. 'Edinburgh has a growing student population and an urgent need for modern, quality accommodation, so we are very pleased with the pace at which works are progressing and look forward to bringing the site to completion over the next 12 months.'
Scotsman
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Council agrees to explore ban on purpose-built student accommodation
Options for bringing in a ban on the development of new student accommodation units In Edinburgh are set to be brought before councillors later this year. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... City officers have been asked to explore options for a ban on controversial purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) projects, and present them to the city's Planning Committee in September for a decision. A majority of councillors backed the motion calling for a ban to be explored, after it was proposed by SNP councillor Danny Aston. But 10 opposed it, with one saying a ban would be 'premature'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad SNP councillor Danny Aston at Jock's Lodge, where new student accommodation is due to be built. | supplied At the meeting, Cllr Aston said: 'It seems to me that developers aren't taking the changing circumstances into account. 'My concern is that if the council doesn't step in as the state body responsible as the planning authority to rein in the market here, our city may be left disfigured by white elephant PBSA developments that no-one wants.' PBSA projects often draw significant protest from the communities they are built in. One recent development in Jock's Lodge, which went on to be approved, drew over 1,000 public objections. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Opponents say that PBSA projects add strain to, and harm the character of, local communities, as well as taking up development space for housing for the wider public. Additionally, the rents in the developments are often higher than students can find on the private residential market, with rooms in shared flats within Edinburgh PBSA developments often starting at £800 or £900 per month. But PBSA developments are rarely pushed back by councillors. They are usually compliant with planning regulations, which means there is often no legitimate reason for them to be rejected. Glasgow City Council had its own moratorium on PBSA developments between 2019 and 2021, with new projects still effectively banned in parts of the city by planning regulations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat filed an amendment that said a ban should not be implemented now. Instead, it said that any decision on restricting student housing should be made as a part of creating the city's new Local Development Plan, which must be implemented by May 2026. She told the council on Thursday: 'The main point of this is that we are going through a process to look at student housing, examining those numbers. And I think that whilst that is being undertaken, it's premature to ask for a moratorium.' 'The reality is we are supposed to have this information later this year, and I think asking planners to do another report into this, at this point, when they're undertaking that work for the new Local Development Plan is overburdening them. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I think the points Cllr Aston makes are good ones, but I just want to try and get what we need to do done rather than having extraneous reports that I think will be difficult to accomplish.' Councillors voted for Cllr Aston's motion over Cllr Mowat's amendment by 46 to 10, with the Conservative group voting against the motion.
Edinburgh Reporter
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
New student housing ban possible
Options for bringing in a ban on the development of new student accommodation units In Edinburgh are set to be brought before councillors later this year City officers have been asked to explore options for a ban on controversial purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) projects, and present them to the city's Planning Committee in September for a decision. A majority of councillors backed the motion calling for a ban to be explored, which was proposed by SNP councillor Danny Aston. But 10 opposed it, with one saying a ban would be 'premature'. At the meeting, Cllr Aston said: 'It seems to me that developers aren't taking the changing circumstances into account. 'My concern is that if the council doesn't step in as the state body responsible as the planning authority to rein in the market here, our city may be left disfigured by white elephant PBSA developments that no-one wants.' PBSA projects often draw significant protest from the communities they are built in. One recent development in Jock's Lodge, which went on to be approved, drew over 1,000 public objections. Opponents say that PBSA projects add strain to, and harm the character of, local communities, as well as taking up development space for housing for the wider public. Additionally, the rents in the developments are often higher than students can find on the private residential market, with rooms in shared flats within Edinburgh PBSA developments often starting at £800 or £900 per month. But PBSA developments are rarely pushed back by councillors. They are usually compliant with planning regulations, which means there is often no legitimate reason for them to be rejected. Glasgow City Council had its own moratorium on PBSA developments between 2019 and 2021, with new projects still effectively banned in parts of the city by planning regulations. Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat filed an amendment that said a ban should not be implemented now. Instead, it says that any decision on restricting student housing should be made as a part of creating the city's new Local Development Plan, which must be implemented by May 2026. She told the council on Thursday: 'The main point of this is that we are going through a process to look at student housing, examining those numbers. And I think that whilst that is being undertaken, it's premature to ask for a moratorium.' 'The reality is we are supposed to have this information later this year, and I think asking planners to do another report into this, at this point, when they're undertaking that work for the new Local Development Plan is overburdening them. 'I think the points Cllr Aston makes are good ones, but I just want to try and get what we need to do done rather than having extraneous reports that I think will be difficult to accomplish.' Councillors voted for Cllr Aston's motion over Cllr Mowat's amendment by 46 to 10, with the Conservative group voting against the motion. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
23-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Options for Edinburgh ban on new student flats to go before council later this year
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Options for bringing in a ban on the development of new student accommodation units In Edinburgh are set to be brought before councillors later this year City officers have been asked to explore options for a ban on controversial purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) projects, and present them to the city's Planning Committee in September for a decision. A majority of councillors backed the motion calling for a ban to be explored, which was proposed by SNP councillor Danny Aston. But 10 opposed it, with one saying a ban would be 'premature'. At the meeting, Cllr Aston said: 'It seems to me that developers aren't taking the changing circumstances into account. 'My concern is that if the council doesn't step in as the state body responsible as the planning authority to rein in the market here, our city may be left disfigured by white elephant PBSA developments that no-one wants.' PBSA projects often draw significant protest from the communities they are built in. One recent development in Jock's Lodge, which went on to be approved, drew over 1,000 public objections. Opponents say that PBSA projects add strain to, and harm the character of, local communities, as well as taking up development space for housing for the wider public. Additionally, the rents in the developments are often higher than students can find on the private residential market, with rooms in shared flats within Edinburgh PBSA developments often starting at £800 or £900 per month. But PBSA developments are rarely pushed back by councillors. They are usually compliant with planning regulations, which means there is often no legitimate reason for them to be rejected. Glasgow City Council had its own moratorium on PBSA developments between 2019 and 2021, with new projects still effectively banned in parts of the city by planning regulations. Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat filed an amendment that said a ban should not be implemented now. Instead, it says that any decision on restricting student housing should be made as a part of creating the city's new Local Development Plan, which must be implemented by May 2026. She told the council on Thursday: 'The main point of this is that we are going through a process to look at student housing, examining those numbers. And I think that whilst that is being undertaken, it's premature to ask for a moratorium.' 'The reality is we are supposed to have this information later this year, and I think asking planners to do another report into this, at this point, when they're undertaking that work for the new Local Development Plan is overburdening them. 'I think the points Cllr Aston makes are good ones, but I just want to try and get what we need to do done rather than having extraneous reports that I think will be difficult to accomplish.' Councillors voted for Cllr Aston's motion over Cllr Mowat's amendment by 46 to 10, with the Conservative group voting against the motion. A report compiled by officers on a possible ban will be considered by councillors at the next meeting of the Planning Committee on Wednesday, 10 September, which you can view here.
Edinburgh Live
18-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh ban on new student housing blocks proposed amid fear of oversupply
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info New student housing blocks in the capital should be banned over fears of an oversupply, according to an Edinburgh councillor. Over 20,000 beds exist in private student halls in the city, and new projects are regularly being approved. But SNP councillor Danny Aston says the private student halls sector is likely in a bubble, and that the city should look to stem the damage before it bursts. He has put forward a motion to Thursday's full Edinburgh Council meeting, calling for a moratorium on new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) projects. Cllr Aston said: 'The developers don't seem to see the bursting of the bubble coming. There's plenty of evidence that it's either just started to happen or will happen soon. 'There have been recent applications, recent decisions. They're acting as if none of the issues are really happening. 'I'm concerned by the time they really start to bite, Edinburgh will have been disfigured by a whole bunch of white elephant developments that the operators can't fill.' Glasgow City Council had an effective moratorium on new PBSA projects between 2019 and 2021, preventing many new projects from starting construction. Cllr Aston wants councillors to compile a report exploring options for a moratorium, looking to the ban implemented in Glasgow for inspiration. New PBSA developments are still restricted in parts of the city by planning rules. PBSA projects are generally targeted at wealthier international students, with their high monthly rents adding a bar to entry for many. In Edinburgh's private student housing blocks, prices often start at £800 or £900 per month for a room in a shared flat, and climb higher for studio flats. Cllr Aston continued: 'The higher education sector clearly has financial issues. Edinburgh universities are not going to be immune to that. 'The other aspect directly affecting [the PBSA market] is that we're moving into a more troubled phase in terms of international relations. Relations with China in particular are becoming cooler. 'Chinese students, for a number of years, formed a very big part of the demand for PBSA in Edinburgh, particularly one year masters students, which is a big part of the market. 'And a lot of developers build specifically for that.' Edinburgh locals have long been speaking out about the proliferation of student housing blocks in the city, with many new projects receiving dozens of planning objections. A recent application to build a new PBSA block in Dalry saw locals strike out, with 7 student housing blocks already operating within 500 metres of the site. At the time, law student Xander Lyons told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'We have too many [PBSA blocks]. There's so many student housing buildings around here, we've got Orwell Terrace and Bainfield, and then IQ. 'It seems like every time there's a new development planned, it's student flats. If they were affordable, then great, but they're not. 'You're quite often sharing with eight other people, and you're paying 800, maybe 900 pounds a month. It's not going to help the housing crisis.' And continuing student flats development in Jock's Lodge has drawn anger, with one application last year drawing over 1,000 objections. Two pubs and a popular local takeaway are in the firing line of the new development, which would host 191 student beds. But despite the objections, both projects were approved, as they lined up with the city's development guidelines. Cllr Aston said his motion was aimed at giving the city legroom to tackle the issue, saying: 'What I'm proposing in my motion is to buy some time. 'Give us some space to work out what the impact of the financial challenges and the international context are going to be for higher education.' He said he was unaware of why the Glasgow moratorium ended, but that if his motion is passed, he would want the report to include this. If Cllr Aston's motion is passed, council officers would return to the city's Planning Committee by September. The motion will be discussed at the next full meeting of Edinburgh Council, set to take place on Thursday, 19 June, which can be viewed here.
