Caltongate go-ahead may put heritage status at risk

Work on the 300 million Caltongate scheme is set to start in the next few months and be completed by 2013 after being given the green light by the Scottish Government yesterday, despite widespread fears about the impact it will have on Edinburgh's historic Old Town.

Heritage organisations, campaign groups and architects had been among the 300 objectors to the development, which will see two listed buildings make way for a five-star hotel and conference centre. All but the faade of a 1930s' tenement block in the Royal Mile will be bulldozed to make way for flats.

The London-based developer Mountgrange has pledged up to 2,000 jobs will be delivered through the creation of the hotel complex, a string of apartment and office blocks, cultural and leisure venues and a public square.

Sources close to the developer have insisted work will start as soon as possible, once final planning consent and all legal agreements with the city council are concluded. Work has already been ongoing for 18 months to clear the site of the former New Street bus depot.

But The Scotsman has learned that a report on the World Heritage Site is expected to be on the agenda of a Unesco conference in Quebec next month. A powerful heritage committee may then order an inquiry into whether Edinburgh should be placed on an "at-risk" list.

James Simpson, an Edinburgh-based conservation architect, vice-chairman of Unesco advisory body ICOMOS, said: "We have been very concerned about the decisions that have been taken on Caltongate, particularly in relation to listed buildings."

Protesters had heckled and jeered councillors after they approved all but one element of the scheme in a single sitting of the capital's planning committee in February.

But the Scottish Government has decided against calling in the scheme and ministers are content with its handling by the council.

Objectors had been pinning their hopes on the Scottish Government ruling on the scheme, which had been split into different planning applications by Mountgrange.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "Ministers do not consider it necessary to take over the decision-making role from the council for the range of applications associated with the Caltongate development project.

"Planning and Historic Scotland officials liaised closely in considering all relevant matters and handling of the various application, covering their respective interests. Ministers subsequently chose not to intervene."

Jenny Dawe, the city council leader, said: "The Caltongate development will play a huge part in securing the economic, social and cultural life of the city centre and I am pleased that we can now take this matter forward."

Mountgrange said: "Caltongate offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to significantly improve the fabric and feature of Edinburgh's Old Town."

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