Plans for Waterfront cultural centre put on indefinite hold

Published on Thursday 4 December 2008 09:05

A MULTI-MILLION pound cultural centre on Edinburgh's Waterfront is to be put on ice due to a lack of funding and a string of rival projects vying for backing.

Details of a concert hall, gallery and exhibition centre had been expected to be at the heart of new blueprint for the redeveloped Leith Docks, but the idea has now been shelved in favour of new homes, shops and hotels in the area, which will also include a new marina.

The 500 million development – the plans for which will be formally launched next week – has been created by the international design firm RTKL, which masterminded the transformation of Baltimore harbour in the US.

However, councillors were told yesterday there is no funding at all in place for the scheme, and Forth Ports, the developer, has yet to finalise what form the flagship project will take.

Forth Ports is to safeguard land for a new cultural building, but it is expected to be at least ten years until detailed plans are brought forward.