Scots Government Cans Edinburgh Tower Plans

Scots Government Cans Edinburgh Tower Plans

Published on 29-10-2009 by Skyscrapernews.com
Plans by Richard Murphy Architects to build a new 17-storey hotel near Haymarket railway station in Edinburgh have been thrown out by the Scottish government.

Developed by Tiger Developments, the hotel is the star part of the four-acre development at Morrison Street Goodsyard, a long abandoned brownfield site that was once used by the railway station.

At 17 storeys and the first tall building proposed in central Edinburgh for decades, the tower element has proven to be the most contentious part of the application although it also includes a large amount of planned retail and office space.

The SNP controlled government has refused the entire application on the basis of the damage that they believe it would do to the Edinburgh world heritage site, something that is bound to be welcomed by UNESCO.

Aware of how modern development could encroach on the old city, UNESCO has demanded that if Edinburgh wants to keep its status it should have a buffer zone to protect historic areas. This means that not only will development by restricted in those areas, but also areas around it effectively expanding the part of the city that is covered by the world heritage site when it comes to planning matters.

The announcement will come as a blow, not only to Tiger Developments, but also any other potential developers who want to do big schemes in Edinburgh city centre that could well lead them to looking elsewhere such as the burgeoning docks area.

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