CALA approved to redevelopment Royal Blind School

CALA Homes has received an approval for planning permission over the sensitive re-development of Edinburgh’s Royal Blind School at Craigmillar Park, one of the most distinct buildings in South Edinburgh, into 49 new homes.

The C listed Victorian school building is comprised of a vacant school building, a swimming pool, the Royal Braille Press, and a bungalow although, in order to achieve the desired standard of re-development, the more recent extensions to the old school building, as well as several surrounding buildings, will need to be demolished.

To replace these structures, however, CALA Homes will create 21 apartments out of the original school building, will construction a new build flat above the garage, will refurbish the gatehouse, and will construct a further 26 new build townhouses.

Furthermore, these new build homes will be carefully designed and constructed with quality materials that are appropriate for a new development within the Craigmillar Park Conservation Area.

The Land Director for CALA Homes East, Craig Lynes stated: “We have worked closely with neighbours over the past three years to ensure we create a site that brings benefit to the local area.

“Naturally, we are thrilled that our plans for this important building have been approved and we are looking forward to returning the Royal Blind School back to its former glory.

“It has been crucial to us to engage with members of the local community through a series of events and amend our plans following feedback.”

Initial plans for the re-development were submitted by CALA Homes back in December 2018 but required substantial revisions following a public consultation which found that building heights needed reducing, key blocks needed reconfiguration, and various proposed materials needed changing.

The brownfield site is one of many such projects that CALA Homes has taken on, with others including: Albert Dock, Kinleith Mill, Trinity Park, Ten Brunswick Road, and Waterfront Plaza in Leith.

The Royal Blind School was founded in 1835but the original school building was not constructed until 1874 and was later closed after 140 years of service in 2014.

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