The colony houses, which were built between 1850 and 1910 for Edinburgh’s artisans, are said to be unique to the city.

Now council officials are to carry out a review of the properties amid worries from owners that some have more protection than o

thers.

There are ten such developments across the city, the 19th century equivalent of affordable housing for key workers.

But while those in Dalry, Pilrig, Rosebank and Stockbridge have listed status, others have no protection at all.

Officials are set to review the protection regime early next year, a move which some hope could lead to all the colonies being listed.

Built by housing reformers, colony houses were constructed as double flats, with an upper and lower ground. The front doors of the two properties were designed to be on opposite sides of the building, allowing each flat to have its own garden.

Of the ten colony developments in Edinburgh, those at Abbeyhill, Leith Links, Lochend, North Fort Street and Slateford have no statutory protection because they are neither listed nor lie within a conservation area.

Councillor Gordon Buchan, whose council motion led to the review, said he had been approached by those living in the Slateford “Flower” colonies.

Last year residents of the colonies, which lie off Slateford Road, launched a campaign against proposals for 100 new flats in the area, a planning application which was later rejected.

Cllr Buchan said: “There’s lot of new development proposed around about and we want to make sure any development does not affect the unique history and the setting of the area.

“Colony housing is quite unique in Edinburgh, but there is a discrepancy between different colonies in some parts of the city.

“I just want the council to have a look and see if the others need special protection.”

Campaigners have previously called for new colony-style properties to be built on brownfield sites around the Capital to help provide affordable housing.

Councillor Jim Lowrie, the council’s planning leader, said: “The colonies are properties of architectural and historic merit and are unique to Edinburgh.

“The council seeks to manage and preserve the city’s built environment as a whole and I am sure this review will help us towards achieving this.”

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