More than 500 homes planned for former John Lewis depot site in Edinburgh

More than 500 flats could be built on the site of the former John Lewis depot off Bonnington Road if developers get approval from Edinburgh City Council.

The plans, submitted by developers PLATFORM_, include 527 homes in a mix of studios, one, two, and three bedroom flats including space for working from home, a residents lounge and a cafe.

Previous proposals for the John Lewis site were in place and had been submitted to the council, but the developers have since purchased the neighbouring site of the Bonnington Centre and 2-4 Bonnington Road Lane, allowing for a much larger development including commercial units.

The plans will see the depot site, which shut in 2017 with the loss of 78 jobs, transformed with all the flats to be ‘build-to-rent’ properties rather than available for purchase.

Developers also plan for the development to have an on-site concierge, a gym, and four commercial units as well as office space fronting onto Bonnington Road and additional office space and a ‘Bike Cafe’ fronting to Anderson Place.In the Design and Access Statement, JM Architects describe the development as planning to “breathe life back into” the area.

They state: “The strategy of the public realm, communal areas and private gardens aims to breathe life back into a relatively dull neighbourhood, enhance the site’s biodiversity and protect the bank leading to the Water of Leith, as well as providing residents with an attractive setting to live in.

The architects add that site is also well-connected for active travel such as cycling and walking for any future residents.

The plans include 602 cycle parking spaces and 57 car parking places, including three disabled parking spaces and ten electric charging points.

The statement states: “The main aspiration is to create a high quality public realm which would demonstrate a clear sign of civic pride as well as providing private spaces which would promote modern community living with an overarching ecological concept.

The site is well-integrated into local walking, cycling and public transport networks, and is in an excellent location to support sustainable transport travel, particularly to city centre and Leith Walk.”

They add that the development will include flats at different price points in the market, stability and certainty for tenants, professional management and a long-term investment and stewardship in the local area.

It states: “The proposals are for a residential development of a Buildto-Rent Tenure. The developer, PLATFORM_, will fund and procure the design and construction and ultimately manage the finished building. Therefore PLATFORM has a desire and vested interest to produce and maintain a quality development.”

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