City centre buildings 'pose threat' to world heritage site

Published on Wednesday 12 November 2008 22:39

TOWERING new buildings, large-scale developments and modern schemes out of keeping with their historic surroundings risk damaging Edinburgh's world heritage site, Unesco chiefs warned yesterday.

The city council and the business community have been warned the whole "integrity" of the Old and New Towns will be in doubt if developments are allowed to proceed unchecked.

On the opening day of an official visit which could see Scotland's capital stripped of its world heritage status, Mechtild Rssler, Europe and North America chief at Unesco's world heritage centre, said it was vital for Edinburgh to guard against development that was "incompatible" with its surroundings. She said it was particularly crucial that key views of the city centre, including from the main approaches to the city, were not ruined.

Dr Rssler dismissed claims that Edinburgh's world heritage status risked holding back development and instead warned the city's economy could suffer long-term damage if widescale change in the heart of Edinburgh was accepted. She spoke out as details emerged of a damning report to Unesco from a key advisory body, warning that the scale of developments planned for Edinburgh city centre could have a dramatic impact on the city's world heritage site.

Dr Rssler, who is accompanied by Professor Manfred Wehdorn, of the International Council on Monuments, in Edinburgh this week, said: "We are well aware of the strength of the debate in Edinburgh. We have received hundreds of letters and the arguments have been very passionate.

"It's important to remember that world heritage status was awarded to Edinburgh based on its historic buildings and street patterns. We are not arguing that cities should be maintained like museums.

"It's totally false for anyone to suggest that, but development has to be compatible with what is there, whether it is a tall building or a modern new development in an historic location.

"It's very important that existing views are maintained for the citizens of Edinburgh and great care should be taken to ensure that new developments are in keeping with what is already there."