City sets sights on four more views it doesn't want to lose

Published on Wednesday 19 March 2008 09:25

VIEWS of Edinburgh's skyline and the Forth bridges from Leith Docks are set to be offered extra protection from developers.

The city council is likely to restrict the creation of tall buildings that would block views of the Capital's landmarks.

Around 50 views of Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat, the Firth of Forth, Craigmillar Castle and the New Town were identified last year for protected status following a study of the city skyline. Now, four more views from Leith Docks have been recommended for approval in the list following requests from city councillors.

The docks are on the brink of major development, and will eventually accommodate nearly 16,000 new homes. The vantage points, close to the east breakwater at the Port of Leith, Ocean Terminal, and near Leith Links, look towards the city centre, out to the Firth of Forth, and west to the rail and road bridges.

Councillor Jim Lowrie, the city's planning leader, said: "Our unique skyline is one of our most precious assets.

"With large-scale redevelopment proposed along Edinburgh's Waterfront, it is important for us to develop planning guidelines to ensure key views are protected."

Forth Properties – the property division of Forth Ports – recently submitted the largest planning application in Edinburgh's history for the Leith Docks area.

Forth Ports is yet to reveal detailed masterplans for the area, but the current blueprint includes the creation of one tall building, up to 28 storeys high. The siting of the structure will have to take the new restrictions into account. A Forth Ports spokesman said today: "We are aware of the need to preserve specific views and we take this into account in the master- planning for the waterfront developments."

In drawing up the protected views, consultants analysed each area and defined the "sky space" around each landmark to be safeguarded. The council will presume against development which impacts on these key views, although the guidelines do not completely rule out tall buildings.

One forthcoming development set to cause debate is a planned 16-storey hotel in Haymarket.

Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) Trust has demanded that the plans are scaled back amid fears of the impact they will have on views. Jane Jackson, acting director of EWH, said: "The city's skyline was cited by Unesco's world heritage committee as of unique value to mankind.

"These views define the city's identity. Many of the views we take for granted today are the result of careful planning, but equally valuable are the unexpected glimpses, like the coastline of Fife seen from the New Town."

&#149 Edinburgh World Heritage Trust website