'Spaceship' is cleared to land

WORK to build two new hotels alongside shops and offices at Haymarket is expected to get under way within months after councillors gave the go-ahead for the controversial scheme.

During a lengthy meeting yesterday, councillors voted ten-five in favour of the £200 million plans, which include a 17-storey five-star hotel that will be visible for miles around.

While some politicians said the flagship building is "world-class" and will enhance Edinburgh's skyline, local councillor Charles Dundas said it looked like "an alien spaceship dropped in from Doctor Who".

Final approval from Scottish ministers is still required, because the council has a financial interest in the land, but this is expected to be a formality – and developers hope to start work later this year, with the hotels and main office block finished by 2012.

However, local councillor David Beckett, who opposed the scheme, today urged his SNP colleagues at Holyrood to scrutinise the council's decision. Fears were also raised today about the future of Edinburgh's world heritage status, coming just days after another controversial project – the £300m Caltongate development – got the go-ahead.

Councillors at yesterday's meeting admitted that future generations would either "damn" them or "congratulate" them for their decision.

City planning leader Jim Lowrie said: "Redevelopment of this site will create the opportunity to introduce a variety of new uses into the area, such as leisure, business and commercial facilities, which will bring positive benefits to the city's economy."

John Nesbitt, managing director of developer Tiger Developments, said: "The Haymarket will be of immense benefit to Edinburgh by transforming a site derelict for 40 years into a vibrant new quarter."

Under the plans, the car park at the former Morrison Street goods yard will be replaced by the 192-bedroom five-star hotel, a neighbouring three-star 245-bedroom Travelodge, plus offices, shops and restaurants. Luxury chain InterContinental is to run the main hotel, which includes a swimming pool and bar at the top.

The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust and the Cockburn Association objected at yesterday's meeting. Speaking for the Cockburn Association, former Scottish Office landscape consultant John Byrom said: "The new high-building policy has the capacity to do untold damage to this city in promoting in effect a second-generation of (Edinburgh University's] Hume and Appleton Towers, buildings once considered good of their type, but now thoroughly discredited."

But architect Richard Murphy pointed out that the Cockburn Association also opposed the creation of what is now the Balmoral Hotel.

"Things that are new shouldn't necessarily be seen as threatening" he said.

Councillors have forced a number of conditions on the developer, including further consideration of the location of public toilets and the establishment of a stakeholder group with residents.

Maria Kelly, chairwoman of the Dalry Colonies Residents Association, opposed the plans and accused the developers of failing to properly consult with the community. Afterwards, she said: "The result was expected."

Hotel passes on penalties in shoot-out
IT was standing room only as councillors cast their votes on what is certain to be the most talked-about building in Edinburgh for decades.
Opinion was truly polarised as the planning committee meeting debated the 17-storey five-star hotel.

Twice it was described as "alien", only to be labelled "world-class" moments later.

A verbal football match ensued, each side trying to keep mic possession for as long as possible. Indeed, as

councillors began their own debate and each in turn revealed their position, it was just like a penalty shoot-out.

Local councillors Joanna Mowat and Charles Dundas gave the developers an early fright, before the support from Maureen Child and Elaine Morris levelled the score.

Lib Dem Gary Peacock's calls for refusal were countered by Lesley Hinds, only for Colin Keir to put the "no" camp back in the lead.

But it all became clear when Cameron Rose, Rob Munn and Eric Milligan threw their support behind the scheme, to be joined by convener Jim Lowrie who called the final vote. Result: ten-five.