PLANS for a student accommodation development in central Edinburgh have been approved by the city council amid surging investment in the sector.

The development will be completed on a site close to Haymarket rail station.

Called Haymarket Yards, it will feature 153 studio apartments and amenities such as a gym and a cinema.

A spokesperson for the venture behind the project said Haymarket Yards “regenerates an urban brownfield site that has sat vacant for many years to create a high- quality sustainable accommodation for students, meeting the growing demand in the city”.

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The spokesperson said Haymarket Yards will be a zero-car parking development and will include cycle parking for 154 bikes.

A planning application for Haymarket Yards was granted by City of Edinburgh Council Development Management Sub-Committee today, subject to conditions.

The project is being led by a joint venture formed by GSS Developments and London & Scottish Property Investment Management.

Privately-owned GSS Developments has completed projects in Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

London & Scottish Property Investment Management is based in Glasgow. The business invests in developments and manages related portfolios.

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A range of student developments in Scottish cities have won backing from investors in recent years.