Work Is set to start on new student flats in the southside of the Scottish capital.

Property development company S Harrison has appointed longstanding Scottish construction firm Thomas Johnstone Ltd, to build a new purpose-built student accommodation scheme off Newington Road, with work starting this month.

The development, on East Newington Place, has seen a disused commercial unit demolished and construction will start in late June on a modern, energy-efficient four-storey building with 65 studio rooms. There will also be a multimedia room, gym, break-out space, cycle storage and open courtyard.

The scheme has been designed with “superb sustainability credentials” and it will be heated using air source heat pumps rather than gas.

David Clancy, of S Harrison, said: “We’re very pleased to appoint a reputable and longstanding local contractor on this project, which will give a brownfield site in a popular Conservation Area a new lease of life.

“We’re now looking forward to work starting in June and we’ll continue to work closely with the local community throughout the project to maintain and build on the strong relationships that we worked hard to forge throughout the planning process.”

Thomas Johnstone Ltd, established in 1868, will run the project from its Edinburgh office. Gordon Cameron, regional construction director from Thomas Johnstone said: “With several high quality PBSA schemes in our portfolio, a wealth of experience throughout our 156 years of delivering excellence, and an established supply chain in the local area, this contract plays to our strengths and we’re excited to get started.”

Earlier this year S Harrison agreed a forward funding deal with Singapore headquartered Q Investment Partners (QIP) to deliver the East Newington Place scheme, along with a second 76-bedroom PBSA development in the historic surroundings of Canongate, just behind the Royal Mile, which will complete in time for the start of the 2026 academic year.

James Coppack of QIP Development Group, said: “We are pleased to be adding another asset to our UKPBSA portfolio in collaboration with our capital partner ARES Management.  QIP DG have been working closely with S Harrison across multiple schemes over the last 12 months to further enhance our product offering in UKPBSA, and this project represents our fourth asset within the Edinburgh submarket.”

Paul Sheerin: Time to celebrate women's achievements in engineering

 

Most of us will be aware of the phrase that for the holder, their perception is their reality, a statement well worth remembering no matter how much we disagree with that view if we want to find a path to consensus rather than conflict.

Sunday, June 23, is International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), a date I could have told you from memory, as unusually every year the date stays the same, and so only the day of the week it lands on changes. It’s a date that gets good attention in our industry – although maybe not as much as it could – but it enjoys enthusiastic recognition and support.

Why income protection is more than just a safety net

 

This article appears as part of the Money HQ newsletter.

Is it worth getting income protection?

Income protection insurance pays a regular monthly amount if you can’t work because you’re unwell, or suffer an injury that results in a loss of earnings. Knowing that, if you suddenly couldn’t work, the mortgage and bills would still be paid, can take a real weight off your shoulders, and mean you don’t need to put your future plans on hold.

Many of the workforce would receive some sick pay benefit from their employer. But for the UK’s 4 million self-employed workers, protecting their family, home and lifestyle if they can’t work could mean dipping into their long-term savings to keep afloat. An income protection plan isn’t just a safety net for the immediate expenses, it also protects your savings and investments.