'Legoland' hotel building plan for Old Town clears the blocks

CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish an eyesore office block on George IV Bridge have been given the go-ahead, despite the new building being described as a "Legoland" home.

Plans to develop a new hotel complex on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council headquarters on the corner of the Royal Mile and George IV Bridge, were approved by the council's planning committee.

This paves the way for the demolition of what is regarded as one of Edinburgh's ugliest buildings, with a modern development featuring a hotel, as well as shops, bars and restaurants, being built in its place.

But the main front of the new building, which will face on to George IV Bridge, was described as being "blocky", while Councillor Lawrence Marshall described it as resembling a house from Legoland.

Cllr Marshall said: "I still do not like the elevation on to the George IV Bridge, as it looks too much like a building out of Legoland. I like the facade on Victoria Terrace and if that were continued the whole way round I would be happy."

The original plan by Halifax Bank of Scotland provoked stinging criticism from heritage watchdogs including Historic Scotland, the Cockburn Association and the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust.

All felt that the proposals did not represent a significant improvement on the current building.

But while the designs were altered to deal with these concerns, the new plans were never presented to the groups to see if they met with approval. David McDonald, director of the Cockburn Association, said it was disappointed and now felt that it had no choice but to press for a public inquiry.

He said: "If it is true that the developers have chosen not to inform objectors of amendments to the scheme then this behaviour is highly objectionable.

"The aspirations of the Scottish Executive are to create a less adversarial planning system, something the association would warmly welcome, but when developers behave in this manner there is no route other than to demand a public inquiry."

And after looking at the new plans, Edinburgh World Heritage said it still had concerns. A spokesman for the organisation said: "Despite the revisions to the building's design we still believe that it is simply not good enough for a World Heritage Site.

"The current design could be for anywhere, and an outstanding city like Edinburgh deserves an outstanding building - not something that is merely acceptable."

Concern about the lack of consultation on the changes was raised at the planning committee by Tollcross councillor Chris Wigglesworth, who said that not having comment on the altered plans left the committee with its hands tied.

He said: "I would very much like to know what the heritage groups who complained about the original plans, particularly Edinburgh World Heritage, make of these new designs. I still feel that this is a very blocky building."

A spokesman for the Bank of Scotland said: "We are very pleased that we will now be able to take a step forward with this development, which will breathe new life into Edinburgh's Old Town."