Letter: Panmure points

It IS disappointing to read such one-sided reporting on the future of Panmure House as a home for the Edinburgh Business School (your report, 20 January).

It is clear the City of Edinburgh Council gave the applicant advice as early as May 2009 that the glass box option was likely to be refused consent if submitted for listed building consent.

While all parties involved wish to see the 17th-century townhouse occupied, the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland is in agreement with the planning officials and Historic Scotland that the size of the glazed box proposed would result in the historic building becoming subordinate to the contemporary addition.

It must also be said that the rejection of the earlier proposed turret would have been based on principles found in numerous international charters on conservation, not "subjective judgment" as suggested by Bill Jamieson (feature, 15 January).

While we wish to see a speedy resolution to the issue, the delay could have been avoided if the early professional advice had been accepted.

Euan Leitch

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland

Barony Street

Edinburgh