83S Student Residence Limited applied for planning to deliver a 138-bedroom development on the corner of Willowbrae Road and Northfield Drive.

The site, which was formerly home to The Right Wing pub, had earlier planning consent for 48 homes, in a crescent shape, but there was a change of direction towards student dwellings.

83S Student Residence, who submitted designs by One Foot Square and KED Properties, appealed against the City of Edinburgh Council’s “failure to give a decision” on its application.

Under the plans, five of the flats will be accessed via a common lobby and stairwell accessed via the existing principal entrance to the building. The remaining four flats would be accessed from secondary stairwells within the forward projecting wings of the building, two from each stairwell via existing emergency exits that would be adapted to conventional doorways.

Scottish Government reporter Keith Bray has found in favour of the developer so permission has been granted.

Mr Bray said there had been 57 comments made in support and 128 objecting to the application lodged last year.

He went on to say among his comments in the decision: “The lack of adaptability of student housing to accommodate mainstream residential housing in the future is also raised. In that respect, I find that the appellant has indicated that the construction of the building would be such to create flexibility for future uses.

“Lack of sustainability measures are also raised but do not highlight where the proposal would be deficient in terms of planning policy in that respect.”

He also said: “In my view, this extant consent supports the overall appearance of the appeal proposal.”

Mr Bray added: “I therefore conclude that the proposed development accords overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan and that there are no material considerations which, in my view, would still justify refusing to grant planning permission.”

The developer and One Foot Square said they will retain the original distinctive ‘crescent’ design on the proposed Edinburgh PBSA development.

The application stated: “The proposed PBSA application has adopted the design framework and essence of the consented scheme which was considered acceptable in terms of design, scale, height and density.

“The building’s crescent pattern closely follows the line of the street, but is set back with a margin of enclosed spaces forming a buffer between the building and the pavement. This buffer continues as a light well to the north of the building providing daylight to these studios at Lower Ground Floor level.”