ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission to Edinburgh - Historic Scotland

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eferred to Scottish Ministers. They cleared the final applications back to City of Edinburgh Council in early October, and consents for the development will be issued to the developers following the signing of related legal agreements. 11.2 Haymarket Mixed use development proposals including offices, two hotels and retail space proposed for former railway lands outside the World Heritage Site, on its western boundary. The site lies over the principal railway tunnels linking Haymarket Station to Edinburgh Waverley Station, and their presence has had a major influence on the development of the current proposals due to construction challenges. In line with the railway tunnels, and linking Haymarket Station to Morrison Street, will be a new open pedestrian street. The focus of the proposed development, to the N of this route, is a landmark hotel, 16 storeys high, designed by the acclaimed Edinburgh‐based architect Richard Murphy. Other elements of the scheme are lower, and aim to address the existing urban character, including the small‐scale Dalry Colonies to the SW. The site benefits, in part, from detailed planning permission for a mixed use development of offices and retail. This was granted after a public local inquiry in 2005. The current proposals include a generous element of public open space, and the relationship to the listed colonies housing adjacent represents a significant improvement over the consented scheme. The scale, massing and design of the majority of the buildings have been carefully considered to create a character to the development which also respects its context. The 16 storey 5‐ star hotel will create a landmark building which is designed to make a positive contribution to the city skyline and mark this important interchange location. The proposals were assessed in relation to the Council’s Skyline Report: Protection of Key Views, which establishes principles and guidelines for any development potentially impacting on the city skyline and key views. Whilst the tall building does have an impact on some of the key views of St Mary's Cathedral spires, the quality of the architecture and design allows this building to compliment the City's skyline. The inclusion of a tall landmark building was considered justified given the location of the site and the context of the future 46
plans for the wider Haymarket area. The hotel will act as a gateway to the city centre from the west, as a prominent and distinctive marker for the exciting and evolving transport interchange, and for the new wider Haymarket space The Council indicated it was minded to grant planning permission in June this year. The application was the subject of an Environmental Impact Assessment and is on land formerly owned by the City Council; as such it required to be notified to Scottish Ministers. It is still under consideration by Ministers. 11.3 The St James Centre The existing St James Shopping Centre, New St Andrew’s House and St James Thistle Hotel, constructed 1965‐75, was noted as a negative element within the World Heritage Site at the time of inscription. Located at the eastern end of the First New Town, and prominently sited on the highest point of the ridge that forms the ‘spine’ of that area, the existing St James Centre has a negative impact on numerous important views in the city centre, particularly from the north, but also from the south on the important axis of the Bridges, and from the west where it is seen at the visual termination of George Street. It is an alien element in the existing city, particularly in terms of design and materials. A brief, St James Quarter Development Brief, was prepared by the Council in collaboration with Henderson Global Investors (HGI), the owners of the shopping centre and adjoining office and hotel complex. Its approval by the Council as supplementary planning guidance in April 2007 followed extensive public engagement and consultation exercises both before and after the preparation of the draft development brief, including: • discussion with key heritage and conservation bodies, including Historic Scotland, Edinburgh World Heritage Trust and the Cockburn Association; • workshops with stakeholders, including community groups, local businesses and residents; • a manned exhibition within the shopping centre; and • a questionnaire, which sought views on development options. The brief promotes a comprehensive approach to the redevelopment of the shopping centre, offices and the wider area. The document sets out clearly the 47
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
Page 18 and 19: The dramatic topography of the Old
Page 20 and 21: mediaeval ‘herringbone’ layout
Page 22 and 23: challenging the current limits of d
Page 25 and 26: 6. Role of the State Party: Cultura
Page 27 and 28: 7. The Scottish Planning System ‐
Page 29 and 30: The planning authority can: • gra
Page 31 and 32: Appeals against refusal of planning
Page 33 and 34: 8. The Scottish Planning System ‐
Page 35 and 36: In addition to this, Historic Scotl
Page 37 and 38: Promote & Educate • Celebrate the
Page 39 and 40: Underpinning its success, setting i
Page 41 and 42: Manifesto The environment of centra
Page 43 and 44: It is a UNESCO requirement that fiv
Page 45: 11. Case‐specific Briefings 11.1
Page 49: principles for the redevelopment of

ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission to Edinburgh - Historic Scotland

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