Court and Filmhouse vie for Cowgate site

THE fire-hit Cowgate site is being touted as a possible new home for the Scottish Courts.

It is understood the joint-owners of the Old Town site, which was devastated by a massive blaze in December 2002, are considering the courts as a potential tenant.

The Filmhouse, student housing firms and a supermarket are also thought to have expressed an interest in building on the land, with an announcement expected on a preferred developer within a matter of weeks.

It is believed court bosses have told the owners that they are interested in expanding the Sheriff Court in Chambers Street into the Cowgate.

The Filmhouse and Edinburgh International Film Festival has already unveiled plans to build a new complex on Festival Square, but council leader Donald Anderson has declared the plan a non-starter.

Student housing is also considered a candidate with work already under way on an Edinburgh University scheme on a gap site next to Blackfriars House on the Cowgate.

Although it is thought there could be room for both a supermarket and student housing, it is considered unlikely both the Filmhouse and the Scottish Courts could both move onto the site.

Heritage watchdogs today called for a mixed range of uses for the landmark site.

David McDonald, director of the Cockburn Association, said: "I believe a multitude of uses would be appropriate.

"It needs to be lively, so the Filmhouse would be appropriate. Our primary concern is the quality of the architecture of the building going up."

Rosemary Mann, spokeswoman for the Old Town Association, said: "If it is to be a supermarket on South Bridge rather than an amusement arcade, that would be welcome."

No-one from the Scottish Courts Service was available for comment today.

Ginnie Atkinson, managing director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, said: "The Cowgate fire site was our second option after Festival Square, which remains our absolute number one priority. However, we have had no discussions whatsoever with either the council or any of the landowners about the Cowgate."

It is understood that RMJM, the architects behind the Scottish Parliament, is one of six architects shortlisted for the project designed to breathe new life into the site.

It is believed to have teamed up with London-based Mowlem, one of the largest building contractors in the UK. Leading city architect Malcolm Fraser has joined forces with Edinburgh-based developers the Burrell Company to launch a separate bid for the contract.

Bristol-based Unite, which operates around 100 accommodation complexes for students and key workers across 28 cities; Elphinstone, the Glasgow-based residential and commercial property developer; and London Lofts are also believed to be involved in the bidding process.

The owners of the site include Raymond Codona, owner of the former Leisureland amusement arcade; Hafid Mahboub, owner of La Belle Angele nightclub; Forbes Leslie, owner of the Gilded Balloon building; and Edinburgh University.

Firefighters from across the Lothians, Fife and Strathclyde clocked up 700 "shifts" fighting the blaze, which destroyed 12 properties in the heart of the Old Town.