B-listing blight

Published on Thursday 30 April 2009 21:23

IN the next few weeks, Historic Scotland may decide the fate of the former Odeon cinema in Clerk Street, Edinburgh. Or perhaps they will continue the saga that has now gone on for six years.

And that is the point. The community has for six years had a potential asset in its midst which has lain virtually unused. This is planning blight – or more accurately, listed building blight.

The auditorium, which the current campaigners seek to save (Letters, 16 April) is B-listed and worthy of retention, but not at any cost. In this case the shadow of procedural delay and uncertainty has an opportunity cost which is to the detriment of the city.

The campaigners seek to correct an alleged wrong in process. And there is room for argument on the predicted future economic viability of the site with the auditorium retained. Nonetheless, I have viewed the documents on which they apparently found their arguments and am far from convinced they lead to the conclusions they seek to draw.

I believe it is time to bring this lengthy procedural review to an end and endorse the decision which has already been taken by the planning committee.

(CLLR) CAMERON ROSE

City Chambers

Edinburgh