Planning application for Cowgate fire-hit site is unanimously praised and approved by Edinburgh City Council -
Edinburgh developer Whiteburn Projects was granted approval for the SoCo planning application this week (Wednesday 21 January 2009). The plans to construct a mixed use redevelopment on the derelict Cowgate fire-hit site in the heart of the Scottish capital were approved by the planning committee with only minor items of reserve to be agreed.
Due to be completed in 2011, the £40 million development will provide a much needed boost to the current construction industry, with building work set to start this year providing over 200 jobs, as well as signifying the long awaited regeneration of this area of the city. John Shepherd, chief executive of Whiteburn, said: “Our vision is to regenerate this blighted area of our beautiful city which has lain derelict since the devastation of fire in 2002. This part of the Cowgate was once a vibrant part of the Old Town, catering for the needs of many, and we are delighted that we can soon begin work redeveloping the area, making it an integral part of Edinburgh’s urban offering once again.
"We will continue to work hard with the planners and the council over the next few weeks to iron out the few items of reserve and ensure the site is transformed into a premier destination for people to stay, work and relax in the very near future. We are now well on the way to transforming this long-standing gap site, providing local jobs - and hopefully kick-starting the regeneration of the whole South Bridge/Cowgate area." He added: "Whiteburn Projects, Allan Murray Architects and the rest of our team have worked tirelessly to meet the City of Edinburgh Council's planning brief for this site and we are pleased to have received such a positive, encouraging response from the planning committee today."
The proposals followed the development brief which laid down guidelines for any redevelopment, and which was approved by the City of Edinburgh Council following extensive consultation in 2003. The planning application was submitted in September 2008 and, subject to the granting of the necessary liquor licences and building permits from the local authority, construction will commence later this year.
Allan Murray, from Allan Murray Architects of Edinburgh, enlisted by Whiteburn to draw up designs for the project, said: “The design for this area of the Cowgate was complex and many factors had to be considered. We took on board findings from consultations and the extensive heritage report to produce a design which is a contemporary interpretation of the existing buildings on South Bridge and the Cowgate. SoCo will be a collection of buildings in sympathy with the contrasting urban grains of Chambers Street, South Bridge and the Cowgate, complemented by a network of closes and vennels. A series of courts, terraces and entrance spaces at different levels, with different uses, will bring vibrancy to the area. We are encouraged by the positive outcome from the planning committee and we look forward to seeing our proposals brought to life in the very near future."
The South Bridge/Cowgate site, at one time the bustling J&R Allan department store, was once home to a host of retail outlets, offices, pubs and venues, including the Gilded Balloon comedy venue, Bridge Jazz Bar, La Belle Angele nightclub, Leisureland amusement arcade and the University of Edinburgh’s School of Informatics. The buildings were destroyed by a major blaze in December 2002, which attracted worldwide attention. The approval of this planning application brings the project one step closer to restoring the area to its former glory in the not too distant future.
Ends 22 January 2009
Notes to Editors
Whiteburn Group Ltd, incorporating development arm Whiteburn Projects Ltd, is a family-owned property development and investment company. It sparked the Edinburgh pavement café revolution in the 1990s with Café Rouge on Frederick St, created Scotland’s first genuine lofts at Leith Lofts and built the best commercial office building in Scotland and the UK (The Tun – winner of two BCO Awards) in 2003.
Issued by Weber Shandwick on behalf of Whiteburn. For further information contact
Paula Mc Nulty T: 0131 556 6649 or Mobile: 07770 886 924.
