Albany Street Hotel

Cockburn Response

We note the proposed change of use from office to hotel at 58 Albany Street, located within the New Town Conservation Area and the Edinburgh World Heritage Site buffer zone.  The site is situated within a highly sensitive heritage context, surrounded by numerous Category A and B listed buildings, predominantly Georgian townhouses on Albany Street and tenements on Broughton Street. The area supports a diverse mix of commercial, hospitality, and residential uses.

In principle, we recognise the potential for a well-managed, small-scale hotel to contribute positively to the mixed-use character of this part of the city centre, provided that the historic fabric is respected and operational impacts are carefully controlled.

The proposed works, including re-roofing and internal alterations, should be assessed in accordance with national and local heritage policy to ensure the integrity and legibility of nearby listed buildings are conserved. Particular attention should be paid to signage design, any new signage must be of high quality, appropriately scaled, and sensitive to the architectural character of the street.

Given the relatively narrow and largely residential nature of Albany Street, we emphasise the need for clear planning conditions regarding servicing, deliveries, and guest drop-offs. In particular, the potential impact of taxi or coach traffic on congestion and residential amenity must be addressed. A robust management plan covering traffic, guest arrival, and waste handling should be secured to avoid adverse effects on neighbouring properties and the surrounding streetscape.

We offer no objection in principle, but request that the issues outlined above be addressed through detailed planning conditions, design refinement, and operational oversight to ensure a respectful and sustainable addition to the historic fabric of the New Town.