Prince Charles looks to transform waterfront into a crowning glory

Published on Wednesday 13 May 2009 22:04

HIS crusades against modern buildings have not exactly endeared him to the architectural establishment.

But now the Prince of Wales could have a key role in transforming Edinburgh's much-maligned waterfront. Talks are under way that could see one of the prince's pet design projects involved in master-planning huge regeneration in areas such as Granton, Newhaven and Leith.

His architecture and design trust – which has helped regenerate towns and cities across the UK – has launched talks with the city council and developers about staging a major inquiry into Edinburgh's waterfront.

If approved, a five-day conference is expected to be held, at which design experts, architects, town planners, community leaders and developers would be urged to thrash out a new vision for the area. Critics have slated some of the architecture that has appeared along the waterfront in recent years, with claims that developers have failed to involve local communities and that there has been little joined-up thinking.

News of Prince Charles's possible involvement emerged the day after he mapped out a design vision for Britain, saying: "Architecture defines the public realm, and it should help define us as human beings and to symbolise the way we look at the world."

However, critics have accused him of trying to meddle in the democratic planning process by commenting publicly on a redesign of the former Chelsea Barracks in London.

His urban design trust, the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment – which has already embarked on projects in Caithness and Ayrshire – yesterday said it would be "honoured" to work with the authorities in Edinburgh. But a stumbling block is thought to be the 250,000 the local authority and developers would have to agree to stump up for the charity.

The foundation, which Charles set up in 1986, was approached several months ago by campaigners worried about the way a planned transformation of Leith Docks is taking shape.

Ross McEwen, head of Leith-based Art in Architecture, said: "We have been concerned for some time about the lack of interest and critical thought going into the waterfront development in Edinburgh. The idea with this is that anybody with an interest in the waterfront could get involved in looking at an overall vision for the area.

"There has been a lot of interest from the foundation in getting this project under way.

"It'll rely on putting a funding package together, but it's not a huge amount when you consider the millions spent on masterplans for the waterfront over the years," he said.

In a letter to the city council, foundation director Jason Syers said an inquiry would "bring some coherence to the work that has already been done".

"Given the many challenges facing the economy, now is a good time to be standing back to reassess and strategically plan around the changes this will bring," Mr Syers added.

Foundation chief executive Hank Dittmar told The Scotsman: "We've been having a number of discussions with people in Edinburgh and if there is enough interest a project there would be a high priority for us. It would be very much an honour."

A city council spokeswoman said: "We have had some initial exploratory discussions with the Prince's Foundation and these are still ongoing."