ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission to Edinburgh - Historic Scotland
ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission to Edinburgh - Historic Scotland ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission to Edinburgh - Historic Scotland
mediaeval ‘herringbone’ layout of the Old Town on the crag, and the regular layout of the Enlightenment New Town, with Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley valley in between. Edinburgh was for many years commended for its far‐sighted town planning policies, which has allowed the city’s skyline and urban spaces to evolve but maintain their significance over time. This strategic approach has recently been revived by the City Council who recently commissioned a new skyline report, in order to protect key views. This is now out for consultation. The Council is also developing a strategic approach to the re‐development of Prince’s Street, the main shopping street of the New Town, based on an analysis of its original layout and form. These new strategies are emerging at the same time as the city is facing development pressure from many different quarters, some of which could impact on the skyline and the overall character and outstanding universal value of the World Heritage property. Canongate Part of the Old Town is now facing re‐development by proposals known as ‘Caltongate’. The 3.46 hectares site which is highly visible from the Calton Hill is on the North side of the Canongate, the main spine of the Old Town, and covers an area between Waverley Station and Holyrood. It includes the site of the old bus station garage. On 6 February 2008, Edinburgh City Council were minded to grant consent for major elements of the Caltongate scheme, in spite of considerable opposition from the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust and others, including a specially formed Canongate Community Forum which has mobilised community support to keep homes for locals in the Old Town. The plans include a five‐star hotel, conference centre, houses and offices. They would involve the demolition of one protected building, the rear of a second, and several tenanted houses. The Councillors’ decision has now been referred to Scottish Ministers for their determination. The State Party submitted a report on 9 April 2008 which sets out the overall parameters of the scheme and its current status. It also reported that in spite of earlier concerns over the scheme, Historic Scotland were now supportive. 20
Leith Docks The report also provided details of the proposed development at Leith Docks site on the River Forth. This is some 2.5km from the World Heritage property around the old port for Edinburgh. The port activities have been moved to a new site. The proposals are still at the concept stage but Historic Scotland has expressed concerns at the height and bulk of the proposed developments which include a 28 storey tower. They consider that these proposals would create a new skyline for the docks that could compete with the skyline of the World Heritage property and alter its relationship with the river. St James Centre Another development scheme mentioned in the State Party’s report is that for the St James Centre. This is the redevelopment of a 1960‐70s building in a prominent position in the New Town which currently has a negative impact on the property. This scheme is still at the early stages of planning and will provide regeneration of the immediate area. Historic Scotland supports in outline the proposals for the focus of the site but does not support larger towers that the developers have also suggested. These would not be in line with the city’s emerging skyline strategy and could have a major impact on the city’s skyline. Cowgate Fire site The State Party also provides an update on the Cowgate fire site. Proposals to re‐develop the site are at the pre‐application discussion stage. The World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS are concerned that the scale of the Canongate development will impinge on the very strong, tight, grain of the Old Town and the overall coherence of its urban form and spaces, and impact negatively on views from Carlton Hill. Given the scale and location of the development; it could impact on the integrity and outstanding universal value of the World Heritage property. As has been presented by the State Party, the Caltongate scheme could be followed by others of a similar or even larger scale and degree of intervention, such as the proposals at Leith Docks which could alter the relationship between the Old and New Towns and its port. Developers appear to be 21
- Page 1 and 2: Joint UNESCO‐ ICOMOS Reactive Mon
- Page 3 and 4: 1. Terms of Reference 1. As request
- Page 16 and 17: 3. Inscription and Statement of Sig
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- Page 25 and 26: 6. Role of the State Party: Cultura
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- Page 31 and 32: Appeals against refusal of planning
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- Page 39 and 40: Underpinning its success, setting i
- Page 41 and 42: Manifesto The environment of centra
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- Page 45 and 46: 11. Case‐specific Briefings 11.1
- Page 47 and 48: plans for the wider Haymarket area.
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mediaeval ‘herringbone’ layout of the Old Town on the crag, and the regular<br />
layout of the Enlightenment New Town, with Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley valley<br />
in between.<br />
<strong>Edinburgh</strong> was for many years commended for its far‐sighted <strong>to</strong>wn planning<br />
policies, which has allowed the city’s skyline and urban spaces <strong>to</strong> evolve but<br />
maintain their significance over time. This strategic approach has recently been<br />
revived by the City Council who recently commissioned a new skyline report, in<br />
order <strong>to</strong> protect key views. This is now out for consultation. The Council is also<br />
developing a strategic approach <strong>to</strong> the re‐development of Prince’s Street, the<br />
main shopping street of the New Town, based on an analysis of its original<br />
layout and form. These new strategies are emerging at the same time as the<br />
city is facing development pressure from many different quarters, some of<br />
which could impact on the skyline and the overall character and outstanding<br />
universal value of the World Heritage property.<br />
Canongate<br />
Part of the Old Town is now facing re‐development by proposals known as<br />
‘Cal<strong>to</strong>ngate’. The 3.46 hectares site which is highly visible from the Cal<strong>to</strong>n Hill<br />
is on the North side of the Canongate, the main spine of the Old Town, and<br />
covers an area between Waverley Station and Holyrood. It includes the site of<br />
the old bus station garage.<br />
On 6 February 2008, <strong>Edinburgh</strong> City Council were minded <strong>to</strong> grant consent for<br />
major elements of the Cal<strong>to</strong>ngate scheme, in spite of considerable opposition<br />
from the <strong>Edinburgh</strong> World Heritage Trust and others, including a specially<br />
formed Canongate Community Forum which has mobilised community support<br />
<strong>to</strong> keep homes for locals in the Old Town. The plans include a five‐star hotel,<br />
conference centre, houses and offices. They would involve the demolition of<br />
one protected building, the rear of a second, and several tenanted houses. The<br />
Councillors’ decision has now been referred <strong>to</strong> Scottish Ministers for their<br />
determination.<br />
The State Party submitted a report on 9 April 2008 which sets out the overall<br />
parameters of the scheme and its current status. It also reported that in spite<br />
of earlier concerns over the scheme, His<strong>to</strong>ric <strong>Scotland</strong> were now supportive.<br />
20
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