Charity slaughtered over Lamb's House

Published on Thursday 4 September 2008 09:44

THE country's leading conservation charity has been criticised for allowing a historic city building to fall into a state of disrepair.

Lamb's House, in Leith, dates back to the early sixteenth century and was the site of Mary Queen of Scots' return from France in 1560.

Plans to turn the building into six flats were approved yesterday by the city council's development sub-committee, but not before councillors hit out at the National Trust for Scotland's failure to maintain the former merchant's house.

Most of the councillors agreed that the NTS' proposals to create six new apartments were "not ideal" but said the need to bring the building up to scratch was an overriding priority.

However, Inverleith councillor Stuart McIvor called for a letter strongly condemning the Trust for its poor maintenance of the building.

He said: "By approving these proposals we're not doing ourselves any favours with regards to the National Trust."

Committee convener Jim Lowrie agreed to pen the letter himself, adding: "If it's a listed building they really should be looking after it."

The scheme will see the A-listed merchant's house converted into six apartments. An adjacent 1960s hall – once used as an old people's day centre – is also proposed for demolition, making way for the construction of a further three flats, an office and car parking.

Applicants EDI Group and the NTS will have to contribute financially to the city as part of the conditions for planning approval, including 24,733 towards tram infrastructure and 11,500 for the City Car Club.

Forth councillor and NTS member Elaine Morris called the proposals "an abomination" and signalled her intention to resign from the Trust. However, city centre councillor Joanna Mowat said she did not agree with plans to write a letter of complaint to the Trust.

She said: "The building has fallen into disrepair but I don't think it was for want of trying on behalf of the Trust."

The project has the support of Historic Scotland and Leith Local History Society. John Mark Di Ciacca, EDI's acting chief executive said: "Our plans will bring this much-loved building back into everyday use. We understand very well the challenges of introducing new buildings within historic settings, as our work in the Old Town demonstrates.

A NTS spokeswoman said: "The Trust takes its conservation responsibilities seriously.

"This whole project was embarked upon with the intention of safeguarding this important building's heritage for future generations and the Trust recognised it could not achieve this alone."

"EDI has an excellent record of sensitive re-development of historic sites, so we know this important building is in safe hands".