National Grid bids to revamp site of Granton gas tower

Published on Monday 20 June 2011 16:53

A NEW bid has been launched to demolish one of the most striking industrial landmarks on Edinburgh's skyline.

The property arm of National Grid wants to turn the B-listed Granton gas tower to rubble in order to allow it to press ahead with its development of the 110-acre Forthquarter site on which it sits.

Its proposals were thwarted in November when councillors refused to grant planning consent to demolish the giant 150-foot structure.

Now National Grid has lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government, which is expected to announce a major public inquiry on the issue.

It means that the future of the 108-year-old landmark - which has divided opinions in the Granton area - hangs in the balance once again.

Ann Confrey, a spokeswoman for National Grid's Forthquarter communications centre, said: "National Grid has appealed against the decision and requested a public inquiry and we await the date of that.

"We are unable to develop the site, and potentially the site adjacent, unless we sterilise a large area for development and that would seriously impact on National Grid's ability to fund the development of the site.

"Retaining the gasholder would have a serious impact on the ability to achieve any value on the site."

The threat of demolition first emerged more than a decade ago but it was saved when Historic Scotland gave it protected listed status in 1998 and it remains B-listed.

Council planners had recommended that plans to demolish the structure, designed by the renowned architect Walter Ralph Herring in 1898, were approved after admitting that retaining it would present "unreasonable financial implications" for the firm and "represent an obstacle to the redevelopment and regeneration of Granton".

But councillors voted to retain it after saying that demolition would tear out "the heart of Granton".

Cllr Jim Lowrie, the council's planning leader, has responded to a formal request from the Scottish Government to clarify the reasons for the decision.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman confirmed that an appeal had been lodged but said no decision had been made on whether to hold a public inquiry.

National Grid has found that it would cost 5.2 million to refurbish the gas tower.

Historic Scotland has said that refurbishments of similar facilities have been successfully carried out in Dublin and at King's Cross, London.

Forth councillor Cammy Day said: "There are people that do not care what happens to it and see it as a blight. But some, as I do, see it as one of the few standing memories of industrial Granton and there is a need for a bold look at what can be done.

"You can fix this structure; it will cost money but it can be done. In other cities, like Vienna, Dublin and London, these have been used for all sorts but these options are not being considered here.

"We are looking at big hotels at the waterfront and there's a site earmarked for a Scottish Government gallery. Couldn't we say 'let's build a hotel and gallery, or some kind of other space', in the gasholder? It would kick-start the whole Forth regeneration."