Two firms were granted planning permission in April last year by Dundee City Council to build purpose-built premises on sites at Brown Street and at the site of the Shell garage at West Marketgait.

But rising construction costs, inflation and industry impact from Covid-19 lockdowns means the developers, registered in West London and Haddington want more time.

Planning permission conditions state that development work at the sites should have started within 18 months of it being granted but this has now lapsed.

Gylemuir (Brown) Ltd – for Brown Street – and Marketgait Ltd separately sought an extension for the same number of months before starting work.

The application was approved at an online meeting of Dundee City Council’s planning committee.

Concerns were voiced early this year that a current lack of private rentals within the city means demand for accommodation from international students could outstrip supply.

SNP councillor for Coldside, Mark Flynn said: “This application, I find, quite frustrating. I understand what they (the developers) are saying. There’s investor confidence issues, due to things that have happened in recent months.

“I’d like reassurance from officers…that we do see the demand (for student flats).”

The site for the proposed development at West Marketgait is currently occupied by a former petrol station which closed earlier this year.

Planning permission has been granted for 179 bedrooms with amenities and landscaping.

The other proposed purpose-built student accommodation on Brown Street would provide 361 living spaces.

These would comprise of 121 single studios, 34 twin studios, 60 four-bed flats, 50 five-bed flats, and 96 six-bed flats.

The development would be located within the Blackness Conservation Area and Blackness General Economic Development Area.