Westpoint Homes have submitted a planning application to build 60 flats on Annandale Street, Edinburgh.

The flats, of which a quarter will be affordable, will be created on the site of an existing office block.

Westpoint Homes has said the office building on the site has been vacant since early 2013 and has an overall footprint of 1,848 sq m. It is bound by residential developments on Annandale Street, Hopetoun Street and Hopetoun Crescent.

Plans for the site would see the existing office premises demolished, with 60 mainstream residential units constructed in its place. Fifteen of these would be affordable housing. The properties will consist of one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Elsewhere, 50 car parking spaces are proposed for the rear of the site; of these, 45 spaces will be for the mainstream units, three for disabled persons' vehicles, three to serve the affordable units and two on-site visitor spaces. An additional five on-street visitor parking spaces will be provided if necessary. Landscaping and planting is also included in the designs, as well as a shared amenity space to the rear of the site.

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In its design statement, Covell Matthews Architects, said: "The proposal aims to respects the dominant building line, reinforcing the urban block, and responds to the eclectic mix of storey heights in the street.

"Massing and scale and urban grain have been carefully considered to respect the local characteristic. A primary aim is to exploit the long southern aspect offered by the site, offering good opportunities for maximising sunlight and distant views to the Edinburgh skyline and Edinburgh Castle to the south west.

"This has been achieved by providing the majority of the flats with generous balconies facing south west. Penthouses benefit from large roof terraces. Living rooms have direct access to the private balconies. Principal bedrooms face north east and will benefit from morning sun during summer months.

"In order to optimise sunlight to the shared outdoor amenity space, this has been located to the northern most part of the site. The main pedestrian entrances within the development are also located on the principal facades."

(JP/CD)