Heritage body says cinema must be saved

Published on Wednesday 30 September 2009 10:05

DOUBT has been cast on plans to partly demolish the former Odeon building in Southside after Historic Scotland said the developer had failed to properly consider alternative offers for the site.

The country's main heritage watchdog has told a Scottish Government planning inquiry that the historic cinema building – which has lain empty for over six years – should be rescued from demolition on the grounds that various offers to secure its future had not been seriously considered.

Property firm Duddingston House Properties (DHP), which plans to replace the auditorium with a boutique hotel, bar-restaurant and art gallery, has been criticised for overestimating the value of the building in the current financial climate, and failing to justify the move.

In written evidence to the inquiry, Historic Scotland said the building was of "significant national importance" and was still in a reasonable state of disrepair.

However, the council said it was convinced that DHP had "clearly demonstrated" over several years that the building was "incapable of viable use in its current form".

No-one from DHP could be contacted for comment.