City 'eyesore' HQ faces the axe as new hotel checks in

ONE of Edinburgh's biggest eye-sores is set to be demolished and replaced with a new hotel.

The former Lothian Regional Council headquarters on the corner of the Royal Mile and George IV Bridge will also make way for new shops, bars and restaurants under the plans.

But Halifax Bank of Scotland's proposals to rid the Capital of one of its ugliest buildings has provoked stinging criticism from heritage watchdogs.

Historic Scotland has objected to the scheme, arguing the A-listed building should be re-used rather than demolished.

And other groups, including the Cockburn Association, the Architectural Heritage Society for Scotland, the Edinburgh Old Town Association and the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, have all raised concerns about the design of the new development.

When HBoS bought the site for £7 million, council leader Donald Anderson insisted the 1960s building, designed by architect Robert Matthew, be replaced as a condition of sale.

Banking chiefs have had to submit three separate applications for the site, which include listed-building consent, planning consent and consent to demolish.

Historic Scotland, which must be consulted on listed-building consent, has already objected to the plans and said that re-use should be given priority because the argument for demolition was weak. Other objectors were less concerned about the destruction of the building, which they agreed was a blot on the landscape.

But all of the groups feel the new development is not a significant improvement, with the Cockburn Association calling for a design competition to be launched.

Yvonne Holton, planning assistant with the association, said: "The building lies on a unique and prominent site and a building of extremely high quality is demanded. In this respect the design falls short in a number of ways. The present building is widely considered to be an eyesore, and there is no doubt about the necessity to ensure a truly worthy design is created."

Rosemary Mann, convener of the Old Town Association, said the "slab-like" design of the development was disappointing, adding: "One of the worst aspects of the present building is the dead facade presented to pedestrians at street level, and the proposed building is not much better."

Jane Jackson, World Heritage Site co-ordinator for the Edinburgh World Heritage trust, said: "As a key part of the World Heritage Site we expect something that is outstanding, rather than acceptable because it is seen as an improvement on what's there."

Despite these concerns, the plans have been recommended for approval by council officials, who say they are acceptable to the location and "respect the character and appearance of the surrounding conservation area".

A decision on whether to grant the application will be made on Wednesday.

THE FACTS

Built in 1970 and originally the Midlothian County Council headquarters, the building on George IV Bridge was taken over by Lothian Regional Council in 1975.

The A-listed building was designed by architect Robert Marshall.

In 1996, ownership of the building passed to Edinburgh City Council. Most recently the building was occupied by Scottish Parliament workers.