WORK can finally get under way on the massive £300 million Caltongate scheme after it was given the final go-ahead – again.
The controversial plans – which came back to the planning committee yesterday – went through on the nod as councillors ruled it would be "illogical" to stop the development.
It had to be reconsidered because of a blunder by officials which meant o
bjectors were not given their statutory 14 days to comment on the decision earlier this year to approve the scheme.
They were invited to submit further comments and present any new evidence they believed should be considered.
The forthcoming visit by a Unesco delegation, which will investigate the effect of the scheme on the city's world heritage status was considered the only substantial new development, and local councillor David Beckett urged colleagues to take the opportunity to "correct their mistake" and refuse the application.
He said: "The Caltongate plans should have been refused by this council at the first opportunity.
"The biggest concern is the effect this will have on the city's World Heritage Status, yet I was told at the last meeting on this subject that it was 'scaremongering' to suggest that this development could cost us that," he said. He was backed up by Green councillor Steve Burgess, who said the development should at least be delayed until after the Unesco report – which is not expected to be until late next year.
But planning committee convener Jim Lowrie said the council should stand by its decision.
"If we feel we need modern developments in a gap site we will take the decision," he said. "It would be illogical to stop a development that we have carefully considered."
And he was supported by Councillor Maureen Child, who said it would be "an insult to ourselves" if the committee were to "turn tail and change its mind".
The decision was greeted with dismay by Julie Logan, a member of the Old Town Community Council and a vocal objector.
"I'm not surprised, although I had hoped they might consider it in a bit more detail. We will now be urging ministers to order a full public inquiry," she said.
A spokeswoman for developer Mountgrange welcomed the decision which is now expected to be rubber-stamped by the Scottish Government. "Caltongate offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to significantly improve the fabric and feature of Edinburgh's Old Town."
HAYMARKET PLANS GO THROUGHTHE city council has upheld the approval of a controversial £200 million development at Haymarket featuring a 17-storey hotel.
Councillors previously backed the scheme in June, but new rules required officials to write back to all objectors, inviting them to submit further comments.
Objectors said the proposed hotel could put the city's World Heritage Site in jeopardy.
In the proposals the car park at the former Morrison Street goods yard would be replaced by a 192-bedroom, five-star hotel, a neighbouring three-star, 245-bedroom Travelodge, offices, shops and restaurants.
The full article contains 503 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
