October 29 2021

A suburban plot in the West Murrayfield Conservation area of West Edinburgh has been identified for subdivision to provide eight townhouses and six apartments.

Currently, home to a large villa named Rockshiel the 0.6-hectare site at 9 Kinellan Road will be legally split by the present owners as part of a general trend toward the provision of more apartments and townhouses within the established suburb.

A previous application to build 10 townhouses and 9 apartments was refused on grounds of overdevelopment, prompting the applicant to scale back their plan under the guidance of Staran Architects. These changes include a 25% reduction in the built footprint, equating to 15% of the garden grounds.

In a design statement, the applicant wrote: "With close observation of the detailing and proportions of neighbouring properties, and the sourcing of natural sandstone for certain areas of the build, we are providing homes that reflect the enduring qualities of the Victorian Edinburgh Townhouse, but to modern standards of accommodation, low maintenance and low energy use.

"The secluded and private nature of the development will undoubtedly attract a premium price."

Works will retain an established tree belt which ensures no visual impact on the surrounding conservation area.

3 Comments

#1 Posted by Randall Sloan on 1 Nov 2021 at 11:41 AM

This has to be the worst thing I have ever seen, that house currently has a small lake at the bottom of the garden and these shoe boxes seem to completely obliterate it. Awful!

#2 Posted by Hamish Ashcroft on 1 Nov 2021 at 22:10 PM

I think the pavement and road layout is a good example of how pedestrians vs cars are treated in reality in the vast majority of new developments, despite all the ‘pedestrians and cyclists are prioritised’ chat, which usually turns out to be rubbish. A driver can drive straight down the road on a wide straight road, meanwhile a pedestrian (eg someone in a wheelchair) has to negotiate a narrow footway, and 4!! narrow pedestrian crossings at 90 degrees to even get out of the development and go down Kinellan road

#3 Posted by Cadmonkey on 2 Nov 2021 at 11:29 AM

How can the architects design statement state...."Biodiversity and wildlife corridors are also maintained on the site with new buildings only using 15% of the site area".
This smells funny.
How is the biodiversity associated with the small urban lochan being maintained? Are they building over it?
And the "15%" claim. What is the % when you factor in all the new roads and hard surfaces?
I'm calling Extinction Rebellion.

Post your comments