Heritage body blasts theatre extension bid

PLANS to carry out an extension to the Festival Theatre have come under fire from the city's main heritage watchdog.

The Cockburn Association has written to the Lord Provost in an attempt to block plans for a 2.8 million development.

The extension, which will bring a practice stage to the theatre, currently depends on the land to the rear of the building being sold.

Campaigners have said that the proposed student housing and office block would ruin the look of the area, which is home to the university's Old College.

Marion Williams, director of the Cockburn Association, said that the plans would also rule out future stage expansion.

Council sources say that the theatre extension would have to be indefinitely shelved if the student development is axed.

A spokesman for the council said they would respond to the concerns in due course.