Go-ahead for 'impolite' block

A HISTORIC corner of Edinburgh is set to be controversially transformed after councillors narrowly approved a four-storey development which critics branded "foreign" and "impolite".

The building will dramatically alter the character of Canonmills Bridge, which sits at the junction of the City Centre, Inverleith and Leith Walk council wards and currently houses a single-storey row of restaurants and shops.

The plan to demolish the rotting building and replace it with two restaurants, six flats and three townhouses attracted a string of objections.

City Centre councillor Charles Dundas said: "The height is right, and I would commend the developers for keeping to the existing roof line.

"The materials are right, the mix between retail and residential is right, but I lack the vocabulary to describe why I don't like it.

"I just feel that it jars with the character of Canonmills Bridge, despite its benefits, and just won't fit in well."

Opponents were particularly concerned about the impact the building would have on the view from Rodney Street.

Councillor Joanna Mowat, also representing the City Centre ward, called the building a "foreign intrusion", while The Inverleith Society said the design was not "polite" to the adjacent property.

Honorary secretary Bobbie Fraser said: "The plans aim to overdevelop the site grossly. The design is too bulky and too high. The building will tower over the existing bridge and it will intrude on the privacy of existing gardens."

Leith councillor Marjorie Thomas defended the project. She said: "I like this building very much. The design is imaginative and I think it will be an asset to the area."

The development eventually squeezed through the planning committee with a vote of seven to six, much to the delight of its architect Peter Fouin.

He said: "Appreciation of design is subjective. We went through an extensive dialogue with the planning department spanning almost three years to come up with a design that they would support, and we are delighted that they have done.

"We recognise that any new building is always going to be contentious but the planners were very keen for us to avoid anything that would look like a Victorian pastiche."