Cash blow leaves Granton Sur Mer plans high and dry

AMBITIOUS plans to create an open-air swimming pool and community arts facility in Granton are facing collapse after designers admitted they were struggling to attract financial backing.

The proposals for "Granton Sur Mer" would have seen an area close to West Shore Road revamped.

The 2 million plan was put together by the Granton Community Partnership and Art In Architecture, which has been negotiating with Waterfront Edinburgh Ltd - the arms-length council company which owns the various sites in Granton - over use of the land.

The developers had hoped to agree a one-year option on the sites, which would have enabled them to pursue funding for the plans which they believe could create up to 500,000 a year for the local community.

But officials said such a deal would give them an unfair competitive advantage over other bidders, and would not meet their criteria of achieving best value for the 1m site.

The developers said it was now almost impossible to get funding for the project.

Ross McEwen, the project manager with Art in Architecture, said: "It's a chicken and egg scenario, as without funding we can't get the land, but without an agreement on the land we can't get the funding.

"It is very frustrating, as the council have told us there is lots of other interest in the site, but if that is the case then why is nothing being done?

"Our plans are ambitious, and they are aimed at creating something which will improve the area and benefit people.

"We have told the council we can make around 500,000 a year for the local community, but it appears that instead they want to just get 1m up front."

Under the proposals, the pool would be created from four sea containers, sunk into waste ground, lined and filled with solar-heated sea water.

The arts village would have seen up to 100 old containers refurbished to create a series of small studios and craft workshops available for rent, each with a toilet and a small kitchen, and all powered by renewable energy sources such as wind turbines on the site.

The team was also planning to transform the historic walled garden next to the 17th-century mansion Caroline Park House to create a "garden festival".

Local Labour councillor Cammy Day admitted negotiations now appeared to have broken down, but said he was hopeful at least part of the plan could be revived.

"In financial times like these, it is this kind of 'out the box' thinking that we need, and so it is a shame that a deal could not be reached," he said.

"I have asked for clarification over what other developers have shown an interest in the site, and I will be talking to the people involved to see if we can move it forward.

"There is a real demand for the artist studios, for example, and the designs are very innovative, so perhaps that phase could be set up, and then if it proved to be a success we could look at bringing in the other parts of the scheme."

Cllr Tom Buchanan, chairman of Waterfront Edinburgh Ltd, said: "Whilst the council recognises the importance of creative industries to the local economy, we have a duty to look after our resources, especially in these tough times.

"In any case, the off-market deal proposed would violate our legal obligation to demonstrate that we've achieved best value for the taxpayer."