Heritage matters

Published on Tuesday 14 February 2012 00:00

Not only did the usually affable Charles McKean appear to get out of bed on the wrong side on the day he announced his departure as chair of Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH), he seems to have arisen in the wrong city (your report, 13 February).

He knows that the city is considering making Princes Street more pedestrian-friendly; he knows there is a tram stop close to Waverley Station; he knows that the whole country has been in unparalleled financial strife since 2008; he knows the Old Town closes are by their very nature narrow, dark and not wholly welcoming; and he also knows the council has managed to find funding for EWH for 2012–13.

I am sure he is also aware that Edinburgh is Condé Nast Traveller’s best UK city destination and has been The Guardian’s favourite UK city for 12 years in a row.

It is ironic that his condemnation appears in the press on the same day that Edinburgh’s quality of life is recognised in being named winner of the prestigious fDi Best Large European City award and noted as best for foreign direct investment strategy.

I doubt if the more than 30 new investment projects welcomed to Edinburgh in the past 12 months would have been attracted to the sort of rundown, dysfunctional city that Professor McKean describes.

(Cllr) Jenny Dawe

Leader

City of Edinburgh Council

Edinburgh

IN his response to the valedictory remarks of Professor Charles McKean, Edinburgh’s planning chairman Jim Lowrie made the following remark about Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH): “They work closely with the council behind the scenes now, and they can still comment on developments which are coming through, which is better than simply objecting to them” (your report, 13 February).

Am I right in understanding from this that EWH is no longer allowed to come out in outright opposition to a planning proposal, particularly one which involves the council?

If so that is a most unwelcome change, particularly at a time when the council has just agreed to sell off large areas of the Old Town for demolition by a developer.

Robert Cairns

Harrietfield

Perthshire

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