Public inquiry to decide fate of 120-year-old landmark

Developers responsible for the 150ft-high gas holder in Granton are expected to appeal against a decision barring demolition of the 120-year-old structure within weeks.

National Grid claims the gas holder will effectively "blight" 15 acres of prime development space on the city's waterfront, despite claims it should be adapted for another use.

Councillors rejected the advice of their officials last year and voted against plans to demolish the B-listed structure, the last remaining sign of Granton's once-booming gas industry. The site was once Scotland's biggest single producer of gas.

The firm, which inherited the structure from British Gas, has been accused of allowing it to fall into disrepair, even though it was given protected status by Historic Scotland 13 years ago. National Grid has complained it faces a 5 million bill to repair and restore the gas holder, and insists no viable use for it can be found.

Councillors believe the company has failed to explore alternatives to demolition and has made little or no effort to market the site, which is at the heart of the 110-acre Forthquarter development.

The company claims the council's opposition to demolition has rendered plans for a new "urban village" in the area undeliverable.

The gas holder, one of three to dominate the long-running Granton gasworks, was built in 1898 but has not been used since 1987.

Heritage campaigners have pointed out that similar structures worldwide had been converted into conference centres, visitor attractions and apartment blocks.

Jim Moore, sales and marketing manager for National Grid, said it had asked for a meeting with local councillors to go through the "implications" of the authority's decision last year.

He said: "The planning committee felt that not enough consultation had been undertaken and the information available was insufficient to enable them to make an irreversible decision in favour of the demolition. We've taken these comments on board and requested this opportunity to address key questions and local concerns prior to lodging an appeal against the refusal.

"The area the gas holder sits on is earmarked on an approved masterplan for our site for further residential and commercial development.

"It is true that we have never put it on the market, but there are serious liabilities attached to the site, particularly in terms of the structural integrity of the gas holder."

Labour councillor Cammy Day said: "I'm very disappointed that this company appears to have made no effort to market the site properly and has also admitted not consulting any local people about the gas holder for seven years.

"All that would happen if it was demolished is that there would be more flats built. There is ample land along the waterfront for more residential accommodation."

A council spokesman said it had yet to receive notification of an appeal from National Grid.