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Listed -building specialists Sundial Properties have revealed plans for the redevelopment of the former gasworks on Baltic Street and the scrapyard on Constitution Street in Leith.

The larger part of the site was released for development some years ago by Travis Perkins, with the larger eastern part recently consented for 212 flats (including 25% affordable units).

A spokesman for Sundial said “The old gasworks part of the site has proved a really difficult challenge since it was first offered for sale over 10 years ago.

"Because of the unusual costs and difficult form of the buildings it simply can’t deliver mainstream or affordable housing, however it is clearly imperative to find a solution for the increasingly derelict listed buildings and the polluting scrapyard on the west.

"Whilst our proposal is effectively funded by postgraduate students on leases with a minimum of 51 weeks, we’re determined that the development is an asset to the whole community and does nothing to dilute the unique character of Leith.

"We’ve prepared a detailed website which describes the fascinating history of the site and includes “before and after” images – including some which show how it looked before the demolition of the massive gasometer buildings in the late 1970s. We’d love to hear from anyone who has any old photographs from before the demolitions.”

The plan is to turn the site into a mixed-use development centred on postgraduate student accommodation alongside a digital co-working space, housing and four new shops - which they will offer to local traders rather than big corporations.

(Image: Michael Laird Architects)

To further win people over to the 'social good' aspect of their scheme Sundial have promised to gift 18 new build apartments adjacent to the A-listed Corn Exchange to a housing association.

They've also vowed to support local entrepreneurs by blocking national retail chains from moving into four shop units.

The development will have a large central courtyard and aims to preserve the listed buildings involved using "sensitive infill and considered use of materials".

They've also vowed to support local entrepreneurs by blocking national retail chains from moving into four shop units.

The development will have a large central courtyard and aims to preserve the listed buildings involved using "sensitive infill and considered use of materials".

It's believed that the idea was sparked by the extension of the trams down Constitution Street, with the new commercial units facing the tram line.

Sundial has delivered over 500 flats and houses through converting redundant space in Edinburgh in the last 20 years. A high proportion of their projects have been in Leith, including the conversions of Leith Academy, Leith Hospital and 95 Constitution Street.

The public have been invited to comment on the proposals - click the link to have your say.

This article was updated on 6 December to add a comment from Sundial about the development.

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