Odeon developer accused of inflating property value

A DEVELOPER hoping to build a hotel on the site of the former Odeon cinema in Newington has been accused of inflating the value of the property to block alternative schemes.

Edinburgh Central Labour MSP Sarah Boyack called on Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop to intervene and said many felt that when Duddingston House Properties advertised the property the guide price of 2.93 million did not reflect the deterioration and dilapidated state of the building.

Lothians SNP MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville added: "There is great concern in the community that the developers are using an over-inflated price as a ploy to ensure that no-one can buy the property and keep it in the design that we need to save."

Ms Hyslop said she was aware of the campaign to save the Odeon, but ministers could not intervene in cases where they might later have to deal with listed building consent.