Not the Upper Pitts

The area around Pitt street was part of China town, an area of high-density housing and some bomb damage. The area at the moment look uncared for, it a prime example of why Semi detached should not be built in the city. In a well-planned world, this area would be a mixture of high-density housing and temporary parks been kept to be used as more housing when the time required. The area nearest the city centre could have been kept for office space.

Then

National Library of Scotland side by side map

Upper Pitt Street 1968

Pitt Street, Bert Hardy, 1942, with Barrage balloon and remains of customs house.

St Michaels

St Michaels after WW2 Damage.

Pitt Street 1953

Now

The Yellow line is Upper Pitt street. The area outlined in Orange is New China Town, in White is the tenements LHM is about to knock down. The Red is the area with planning permission for an Elliot company. The Purple is unused, the notch taken out is St Michael in the City Church. 

LHM Target for demolition

Future

The area outlined in purple HDCO EPL1 Limited  one of Elliot Lawless' companies.

To erect a 7 storey building containing 52 studio apartments (Use Class C3) with ground floor lobby, private residents gym, cycle, plant and bin storage.

In the plans above there are comments about adjacent developments, though none seem to have had permission sought. The Church of St Michael seems to compromise one site, it would be interesting to know if they have been made any offers and there is what is described as large playground a bit further along Pitt Street but it seems to be unused tarmac at the moment. There didn't seem to be a lot of families around when I visited. Its close proximity to the City centre and the Baltic triangle would seem to make it an ideal location for a similar mix of up and coming companies and housing for their staff if it wasn't for the semi-detached problem. I don't know if they are privately owned or belong to a housing trust but I think they represent the areas biggest problem.

Update 6th September 2016

ProposalApplication for planning permission in support of comprehensive redevelopment of existing site comprising demolition of disused former community building, erection of 2 blocks of varying heights (maximum 7 storey) creating 120 apartments, 233 sqm of commercial & community uses floor area; together with associated 30 car parking spaces, 120 cycle spaces, new link road, on site amenity space, landscaping, alterations to unlisted ventilation tower and associated external works. 

This new proposal is outlined in green.