Craigmillar revamp to include a library and council offices

PLANS have been unveiled to develop a new council office building and public library in the heart of Craigmillar, as part of the ongoing regeneration of the area.

Under the plans drawn up by the council the three-story building would be developed on a site off Niddrie Mains Road, facing onto the area where a new Town Square is set to be built.

The upper-floors of the building would be used to house council staff, who need to relocate due to the natural end of a number of leases on council offices. It is hoped that the new building will provide a "one-stop shop" for all council services in Craigmillar.

In addition, a new integrated community library will be provided on the ground floor, which it is anticipated will become a focal hub for the local community.

It is hoped the proposed development will kick-start work in the area which has stalled as a result of the recession.

Local councillor Stephen Hawkins said: "This development is one which is needed in the area, and the hope is it will get progress moving on the Town Square plans and the rest of the development."

The new building, which would be known as the Craigmillar Neighbourhood Office, will provide modern 'Fit for Future' accommodation, which will house officers from council departments including Services for Communities, Health and Social Care, Children and Families and Finance.

The proposed site is currently vacant, but was once the site of St Francis Primary School. That building has now been demolished, as has much of the area around it, while the former trees along the south boundary have been removed.

The building has been designed to fit in with the multi-million pound regeneration of the area being spearheaded by developers PARC Craigmillar. Under their masterplan, the area will have a civic square on Niddrie Mains Road, as well as a new school, retail development and a large town centre car park.

Niddrie Mains Road will also become a dual carriageway, while pavements will be widened, new street furniture installed and tress planted throughout the area.

The council has said it is hopeful that detailed applications for the various elements of the scheme, in particular the Town Square, will be submitted soon.

Jan Myerthall, the chair of Craigmillar Community Council, said: "It is slightly disappointing that the library is being housed in council offices, as it was supposed to be part of the new school, but certainly I hope it will kick-start work here again."

The proposals follow on from the recent decision to push ahead with plans for the transformation of The White House, an iconic art-deco public house which had fallen into disrepair and was a symbol of the declining state of the area. Under plans from PARC it will be turned into a temporary art gallery, to facilitate a long-term restoration project.

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