Cowgate fire site: An injection of life for a key part of the Old Town

Published on Monday 31 March 2008 09:32

AT long last detailed plans are to be submitted to the city council for the regeneration of the site created by the devastating Cowgate fire.

It is understandable that there have been difficulties with redeveloping the site. As with Princes Street, a multitude of owners has made it hard to reach consensus on the way forward. But after years of negotiation and deal-making the ownership has been simplified and the plan to create a vibrant new block called SoCo seems to offer a reasonable way forward and if the demand for a performance venue is met it should give a key part of the Old Town the injection of life it needs.

As the Cowgate is in the heart of the World Heritage Site, it is to be expected that the finished design and individual elements of the scheme will undergo the closest scrutiny But while the development must pay attention to the integrity of the surrounding area there is ample scope for modern architecture which as shown by the Cowgate Nursery development. However, the first signs of opposition are already there, with concern being raised about the absence of housing in the proposals even though the site was not residential in the first place. Don't be surprised if the Caltongate campaigners start to take more than a passing interest.

It is also to be hoped that the city's licensing board will look more sensibly on any drinks licence for the proposed anchor hotel development and that there is no repeat of the embarrassing fiasco which saw the initial refusal to grant one for the proposed 10 million Hotel du Vin in the Grassmarket.

While the Evening News shares many of the concerns of residents living in areas that already have a high proportion of drinks licences, common sense needs to be exercised in deciding on whether a blanket ban on all new licences is in the interests of individual areas or the city.

A licence for a major hotel would not add to the problems of the Cowgate as it would serve an entirely different audience and should be looked upon solely on its merits. Does the licensing board not serve the same council that recently launched a worldwide campaign to encourage the building of dozens of more hotels in the city?

Transforming this vital part of the city and the tired South Bridge should be a priority for the council and it is to be hoped it will do all it can to speed it through.

After five years they too must be sick of looking at an ugly gap site shielded by advertising hoardings in what should be one of the city's most fascinating quarters.