EDINBURGH'S former Tynecastle High School will be transformed into student housing after the Scottish Government granted planning permission for the project.
Along with 468-bed spaces, the original school hall will be repurposed as a central amenity hub within a courtyard space to house the area's student population.
S1 Developments, the firm behind the plans, suggested the move could free up 180 properties in the area.
The site is designed to be highly sustainable, according to developers, with parking spaces only for bikes and the employment of low-carbon technologies with no fossil fuels used.
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S1 said the proposals will see 40% more green space in the complex, helping to increase biodiversity within the local area.
In his report, the Scottish Government reporter said students would count for 24% of the local population after the accommodation is built - below the 50% figure that would lead to an "imbalanced community".
S1 said the restoration of the original Category B-listed building, designed by John Alexander Carfrae, will form an integral part of the proposals.
The site has fallen into disrepair in recent years having lain vacant for more than a decade.
Dan Teague, director at S1 Developments, said: "We're delighted to have received planning permission for this exciting development.
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“The original school building has fallen into a sorry state since it ceased being a school over a decade ago.
"Whilst the redevelopment is challenging, our proposed use brings with it an opportunity to save and renovate the original school building and continue its educational use, benefitting the local community.
“The reporter also noted that this was a site more suitable for student housing than mainstream housing due to the constraints of the football stadium and North British Distillery.
“We look forward to working constructively with the community in delivering this development.”
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