<p>CALA Homes has received planning permission for the redevelopment of the Royal Blind School – one of south Edinburgh’s best known buildings, it says.</p> <p>The Victorian C-listed school building for the blind, which has stood dormant since its closure in 2014, will now be turned into 49 homes, split into 21 apartments within the school building, 26 new build townhouses, a new build flat over the garage and refurbishment of the gatehouse. </p> <p>At the moment, the site in Craigmillar Park consists of the empty school building, a swimming pool, Royal Braille Press and a bungalow.</p> <p>CALA submitted plans for the site in December 2018 but these were revised following extensive community consultation, leading to reduced building heights, reconfigured blocks and a change in some of the materials used.</p> <p>To make way for the new abodes, the housebuilder will demolish the more recent extensions to the old school building and some surrounding buildings, with designs and chosen materials appropriate for new development within the Craigmillar Park Conservation Area, it said.</p> <p>Craig Lynes, CALA Homes’ (East) land director commented: “We’ve worked closely with neighbours over the past three years to ensure we create a site that brings benefit to the local …