Smaller hotel planned for Haymarket

A SMALLER, five-star hotel could be built at Haymarket, following the failure of a controversial scheme.

Developers have revealed they have new plans for the notorious gap site in the West End, which has lain empty for more than 40 years.

Tiger, the company behind the earlier scheme, has produced new plans for the four-acre site, which it bought from the council for 41.5 million.

The Scottish Government had rejected plans for a 17-storey development following a public inquiry, as it ruled it would ruin views of the city. The new building is expected to be much smaller than the original plans for a 192-bedroom hotel, with a rooftop swimming pool.

A Tiger spokesman said: "We are continuing to work with the City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish ministers and relevant stakeholders and are progressing proposals for a planning submission in due course."