Wednesday March 25th 2026
How the flats could look (credit: Haus, Surplus Property Solutions)
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
Sixty five flats are to be built on an old school site in Calton with three rooftop gardens featured in the designs.
Surplus Property Solutions Investments got the go-ahead to construct the homes yesterday as residents voiced concerns about potential noise, overlooking and the scale of the development.
The site on Charlotte Street was formerly occupied by Our Lady & St Francis Secondary School, which was knocked down in 1989 and most recently used as a car park.
The building, ranging in height from 5 to 7 storeys, will sit between the A-listed brutalist Gillespie, Kidd and Cola building and a blonde standstone villa.
The private homes will offer one two and three bedrooms and every flat will have external private space. There are also to be 29 car parking spaces, three private roof terraces and a ground level “amenity” area according to a council paper.
Applicant representative Mr Henderson said the design of the homes ” has been developed carefully” to respond to the “sensitive” site. He pointed out the building is stepped to “reduce perceived mass”.
Objecting at yesterday’s planning application committee, Mark Taylor of Calton Community Council claimed there had been a lack of engagement.
He said: “Had we been consulted properly we might not be here today. Instead we have a development that a community does not welcome and strongly feels is not in keeping with its context.”
Mr Taylor said the six and seven storey development would create overlooking issues in Lanark Street.
Dr Hawthorn representing the views of 14 and 16 Lanark Street voiced concerns about the “three large communal roof top spaces” among other issues.
She told the committee there were no planned hours of use, supervision or concierge for the communal areas, which sit close to existing homes.
Dr Hawthorn added: “Our concern is without proper controls and distancing we could be subjected to noise, music and antisocial behaviour at all hours.”
Councillors voted to approve the application subject to conditions and a Section 75 legal agreement at yesterday’s planning applications committee meeting.
Councillor Paul Leinster said having a more dense development “is a good thing” and described it as “sympathetic”. He added: “I’m very happy to approve this.”
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