Appeal grants permission for homes in Edinburgh conservation area

Zone Architects was granted planning permission for the construction of five terraced houses in the Trinity conservation area in the north of the city.

Replacing a rundown garage, latterly used as an illicit cannabis farm, the £2.5 millionscheme will see retaining walls and drainage rebuilt to accommodate the new homes on a tight sloping site off Lower Granton Road.

Objections to the proposal had centred on traffic issues arising from an increase in density, prompting councillors on the planning committee to initially refuse permission despite being recommended for approval by planning officials.

The architects said: “On a steeply sloping site the five houses have been designed to maximise the site’s potential with accommodation spread over four floors: a family kitchen and living area opens into a garden on the lower floor, a garage and sitting room on the ground and three bedrooms above with a roof terrace which takes in sea views to the Firth of Forth to the north.”

Work will start on site in 2017.