THE HAYMARKET PUBLIC LOCAL INQUIRY: ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

On 27th October the Scottish Ministers informed the agent for the applicant of their decision namely to refuse consent for the development.

The details of the scheme and the reasons the City gave for approval would not have been tested, or subjected to the truly independent judgement of a Reporter if the Cockburn Association had not participated fully in the Public Local Inquiry.

All those who contributed to the funds of the Cockburn Association to make this possible are warmly thanked.

On 17th September the Reporter Mr Dannie Onn submitted his report to the Scottish Ministers. He recommended refusal of consent for the scheme. 

Why we are objecting to the proposed development

We welcome much of the scheme and recognise that the Morrison Street Goods Yard site offers an opportunity for redevelopment and high quality modern architecture. We are, however, strongly opposed to both the extreme height and massing of the proposed 5 star hotel building.

The height of the building has increased since the original planning application and public consultation period to 17 floors. This makes it 18.2 metres (60 feet) higher than the Hume and Appleton Towers at George Square and considerably broader, rising to the height of the Edinburgh Castle battlements.

We are particularly concerned at the impact of the proposed hotel's height and profile on the historic city centre skyline and on views into and out of the World Heritage Site.

Edinburgh's iconic skyline forms an essential part of the character and appearance of the city. The capital's economic success and quality of life rests on its outstanding architectural heritage and landscape setting.

The Association is also concerned that the development would set a new precedent for inappropriate tower blocks in Edinburgh's historic city centre.

This site already has planning permission for a mixed use development, the height of which rises no higher than 6 storeys. Sensitive and successful development can be achieved on this site without damage to Edinburgh's special qualities.  
 

Déjà vu

We have been here before. In 1971 a tower proposal on Haymarket Station, directly opposite the site of the present application, was rejected by the city specifically for its excessive height and its very sensitive location bounding and adjoining the West End of the Georgian New Town. The Cockburn Association, led by Oliver Barrett, flew barrage balloons to demonstrate the extreme height of the proposed towers. Planning permission was reversed in response to a wave of public concern.

The Edinburgh skyline is a unique and much loved feature of our capital, having survived WWII and the fashion for tower blocks in the 1960s and 1970s; in 2009 your skyline needs our protection again!  

Haymarket Update: Scottish Ministers announce decision on proposed development

The Cockburn Association are pleased to announce that Scottish Ministers have now refused planning permission for the proposed development at Haymarket.

To read the Scottish Minister's decision regarding the Haymarket development, please CLICK HERE.

To read the Reporter's full recommendations to the Scottish Ministers, please CLICK HERE.