A NEW residential complex overlooking the Meadows has raised fears that the area is being overwhelmed by students.

The 260-bed development is planned for the former NCP car park on Chalmers Street – bought for £8 million in one of Scotland's most expensive ever land deals.

But residents and community leaders claim Tollcross and the Meadows is already over-populated with students, who they say can be responsible for late-night noise and property damage.

The complex has also been described as "intrusive" and out of keeping with the area, and residents fear it will lead to more parking problems on the already-crowded streets.

The Unite Group is behind the plans, which have been submitted to the city council. It claims the development of 81 flats will actually free up more homes for families in the area, but David Rintoul, spokesman for Tollcross Community Council, said he was concerned about a fresh influx of students.

"They are actually taking over," he said. "We have already got five or six with more on the way in Fountain North.

"Don't get me wrong, we enjoy having the students here and are glad they are living in Tollcross, but the problems lie with their behaviour between the pubs and going home. The amount of damage that gets done in Tollcross after they have had a few drinks is unbelievable and that's what really annoys people about them."

He added that the community council had received a number of complaints about the development.

He said: "The people that live at the gable end of Lonsdale Terrace are going to have their windows blocked off by it. We also don't like the glass-fronted bit that overlooks the Meadows."

Andy Devenport, who lives on Lonsdale Terrace, said the building itself was not an issue, but residents were concerned about the wider associated problems.

He said: "The company behind the development will operate a zero parking policy and I'm not sure that that's going to work.

"We know that some students living in existing flats in the area have cars and we are already toiling for parking spaces as it is. It's impossible to get parked during term time."

In an objection letter sent to the council, another Lonsdale Terrace resident states: "Our front and rear gardens and, more importantly, the gable end and east wall of our flat, abut on to the west boundary of the site.

"The student accommodation building proposed would greatly reduce the morning sunlight, daylight, and privacy of our study/bedroom and likewise that of the rooms in the flats above."

Mike Pottinger-Glass, Unite's planning and design director, said: "We are delighted to have commissioned a piece of contemporary architecture that is also at the forefront of sustainability in terms of design, the environment and social inclusion and we have worked very hard with the local community and the city council to fulfil these aims. We are of course sympathetic with the local community, who may feel at times that there are too many students in the surrounding area.

"This is a popular student area and Unite's purpose built student accommodation often relieves the pressure of the traditional rented sector and in many cases these homes are freed up for families."

What do you think of the new flats?
Julie Anderson, 33, bank clerk, Blackford: "I can't say I'd want to be beside such a big student residence, I think they're worth all the bad press they get."

Simon Day, 23, shop worker, Morningside: "The vast majority don't cause damage or trouble, I don't think there will be many problems."

Jenny Galbraith, 26, receptionist, Polwarth: "It probably won't be as bad as people are making out."

Sam Young, 34, recruitment officer, Liberton: "260 students is too big. It will be loud and likely bad for residents."

George McPherson, 28, barman, Meadowbank: "Tollcross already has the Riego Street halls, it seems unfair to place another big one there."