Final plans for the restoration of Donaldson's College and the creation of an new crescent overlooking the historic building in Edinburgh have been unveiled.

Heritage restoration specialist City & Country and CALA-Evans have lodged details of proposals to transform the Category A-Listed Playfair building into 117 homes, also converting two gatehouses.

Builder CALA Homes is proposing to create a split crescent of 84 apartments to the north of the building, one of the most recognisable in the Scottish capital.

City & Country and CALA have been involved in a series of public consultations with residents, businesses and other stakeholders about the updated planning consents, which were first approved in 2007.

It is claimed the proposals are sensitive to the heritage of the building and many historic features are being retained including original joinery, fireplaces, cornices and staircases

Helen Moore, managing director of City & Country, said: "This is a truly magnificent building in a World Heritage Site, so it is absolutely right that such time and effort has gone into the public consultation.

"Having listened carefully to extensive feedback we are confident that our plans provide the best possible solution to safeguard the iconic Playfair building, while sensitively adding a new layer of history to the site.

"The local community, businesses and the City of Edinburgh Council have all stated how important it is to see this building secured for future generations and it is vitally important that a viable new use is found.

"After much work, we hope our plans will be approved, allowing the next positive chapter in the life of the Playfair building and for the Donaldson's site to be realised."

The plans mark a new phase in the long-running redevelopment of the site with the building lying empty for about eight years.

In 2012 the structure was added to the Buildings At Risk Register by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.

Designed in the 1840s by Edinburgh architect William Playfair, it housed Donaldson’s School for the Deaf, now in Linlithgow, and opened in 1850 following a legacy left by city printer James Donaldson.