Government rejects plans for £250m Edinburgh hotel
Plans for a £250m leaf-shaped InterContinental Hotel and complex in Edinburgh have been rejected by the Scottish Government over fears that views of the city would be obstructed.
The inquiry found that the 17-storey hotel would rise high above the surrounding buildings, impacting on key views of St Mary’s Cathedral spires and Edinburgh Castle Rock, and would be out of keeping with the city’s world heritage status.
The Scottish Government reporter said: “In urban design terms, the hotel building would dominate the townscape of Haymarket and nearby streets.”
The Tiger Developments project would have seen a modern 5-star Intercontinental Hotel along with a Travelodge, new shops and office blocks built on a site next to the Haymarket railway station.
John Nesbitt, managing director of Tiger Developments, said the project, which was backed by Edinburgh Councillors in 2008, would have seen an investment of £250m and created 2,150 jobs.
“With strong support for the development amongst local businesses, members of the local community as well as Edinburgh politicians, our proposed development would have transformed a site which has remained derelict for 40 years into a thriving hotel and commercial quarter," he sadi. "To say this is an opportunity missed is an understatement.”
Jim Lowrie, the council’s planning convener, told the New Scotsman: "It's very disappointing the democratic decision of the council has been overturned. It was a bold decision to go for something of this height, but I still feel it was the right decision. We felt a landmark was needed for this site."
Kirk Kinsell, president of Intercontinental Hotels Group for Europe, Middle East and Africa said: "We’re disappointed by the judgement. We will speak to Tiger Developments to consider next steps."
