THE HAYMARKET INQUIRY: BACKGROUND TO THE DEVELOPMENT

History of the site

Currently a car park, the site - 189 Morrison Street - was converted from pasture into goods yard in the mid nineteenth century. Since then, several schemes have been proposed for the site. In 2006 the EDI Group gained planning consent for a mixed development. The site was sold by the EDI Group to current owners, Tiger Developments, shortly after.

Current plans for the site

Tiger Developments are currently proposing to build a five star 192 bedroom hotel, a 245 bedroom Travelodge and 33,000m of office space on the site. At the heart of the current scheme, will be a 17 storey five star hotel - which, if it goes ahead, will be one of the first high rise developments to be built in the city for several years.

CLICK HERE to view the planning application for the site.

Despite opposition from the Cockburn Association (The Edinburgh Civic Trust), Architecture and Design Scotland, Edinburgh World Heritage, the West End Community Council, Gorgie/Dalry Community Council and the Dalry Colonies Residents Association, planning consent was granted by the City of Edinburgh Council in June 2008. 

In November 2008 UNESCO inspectors visited Edinburgh to assess the condition of the capital's World Heritage site. During this visit the Haymarket application was called in by the Scottish Government and a public local inquiry was announced.

The public local inquiry commenced on Monday 25th May 2009 and closed at the beginning of June. The Reporter will submit his findings to Scottish Ministers in late July/early August. 

The Cockburn Association (The Edinburgh Civic Trust) is supportive of developing the site but will be opposing the height and scale of the proposed 17 storey building due to its negative impact on the city's historic skyline. 
 

CLICK HERE to read our most recent response to the planning application.

Drawing showing height of proposed five star hotel in relation to the Castle (Source: The Cockburn Association)