Waugh Investments has lodged plans to demolish two existing buildings in Newington to make way for a new mixed-use development that will include 115 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) bedrooms and a commercial unit.
The plans would redevelop 33-41 Ratcliffe Terrace, as well as associated landscaping, cycle parking, and access routes. The proposed development is designed around three distinct blocks:
- Block A would front Ratcliffe Terrace, spanning four storeys to complement the surrounding tenement-style buildings and reinforce the existing street frontage.
- Block B would be set behind Block A, separated by a small courtyard. Positioned to the north, it continues the alignment of the central structure.
- Block C, the smallest of the three, would be a three-storey block accessed from South Gray Street. It would help form an enclosed courtyard along the site’s mutual boundary.
Currently, the buildings are vacant. They were most recently home to a café and wellness centre, with an associated car park and hardstanding courtyard. The adjacent building at 43 Ratcliffe Terrace remains in use as a barber shop.
Waugh Investments’ proposed development aims to activate the street frontage along Ratcliffe Terrace with a covered entrance and wider pavement area. The commercial unit on the ground floor will be retained to maintain community interaction at street level.
A central courtyard will serve as the focal point of the scheme, offering access to indoor communal amenities. Accessible studio apartments will be located on the lower ground floor to provide step-free access to shared facilities.
“The proposal is for PBSA which will retain the existing commercial premises on Ratcliffe Terrace. This will complement the residential-led development of the area, whilst enhancing the mix of uses.
“External and internal amenity spaces will be provided for residents to create active frontages which integrate the proposal within the landscape of Newington.
“The intention is to provide a new infill element to restore the broken street frontage at a scale and height to match the existing tenements. To the rear of the site, we are proposing a lower block that stretches from north to south at a more subservient scale and design to the main block.”
Planning Statement, Scott Hobbs Planning
The site is L-shaped and includes a noticeable gap in the urban fabric where tenement buildings once stood. The plan includes provisions for 58 bicycle parking spaces, with no car parking proposed – reflecting a commitment to encouraging sustainable transport.
