AN OUTSPOKEN architect is to be retained as Edinburgh's design champion – despite a string of attacks he has made on the city council and claims that he should quit over a conflict of interest.
The appointment of Sir Terry Farrell, who designed the MI6 headquarters in London and master-planned Edinburgh's financial district, was publicly unveiled four years ago.
But he has been fiercely critical of changes to traffic layouts in the city
centre, the planning of the capital's tram network and the way Edinburgh's waterfront has taken shape. Last year, he claimed the city was "gripped by the forces of lethargy".
Rival architects in the city have questioned his record of achievement, amid growing concern about the speed of the planning system in the city.
Sir Terry's future was thrown into doubt earlier this year after it emerged that his unpaid position was under review.
But council leader Jenny Dawe yesterday revealed that Sir Terry had been keen to stay on and said she had been "delighted" with his work on behalf of the city.
Sir Terry, who has only been paid expenses and some staff costs by the council, was brought in to help advise on major projects by the city's then planning convener Trevor Davies.
The architect has been a key adviser on how Edinburgh should be adapted to accommodate trams; the proposed continuous promenade linking Cramond and Portobello on the waterfront; and the planned full-scale regeneration of Princes Street.
But he is known to have grown increasingly frustrated with slow progress on major projects, and his lack of influence over schemes like the trams and developments on the waterfront in areas such as Granton and Newhaven.
Last year, he said of his role: "One is up against the forces of lethargy. They are so great. You need a city leader, you need chief officers, a supportive council." However, other leading city architects have been fiercely critical of Sir Terry's position, particularly Allan Murray, the designer of a string of controversial modern schemes, including Caltongate, and the creator of the new-look St James Centre.
Mr Murray quit from a design taskforce run by the council in protest at Sir Terry's appointment because the latter had been hired to design a multi-million-pound expansion of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
Another architect, who asked not to be named, said yesterday: "You really have to question what he has done, what he has achieved, what his legacy has been to date.
"There's absolutely no need for an architect to have a post like this in Edinburgh.
"It would be far better to have a council more in tune with the needs of developers and good, modern design."
Another rival architect added: "He and his company have gained much more from this relationship than the city of Edinburgh has."
Sir Terry was unavailable for comment yesterday.
However, Ms Dawe said: "I'm delighted with the work of Sir Terry Farrell as Edinburgh's first ever design champion. He has made a stimulating contribution to the future of Edinburgh city centre, mainstreaming the importance of place-making and public space, alongside the need to promote development whilst protecting Edinburgh's world-renowned architectural heritage.
"His work will help Edinburgh to realise its potential by setting the right conditions for investment and enhancing overall quality of life."
Ex-planning convener Trevor Davies said: "Since Terry Farrell's appointment we have seen much more good architecture coming forward to the city's planning committee and far less bad design. That is his main achievement."
Creator of Eggcup HouseSIR Terry Farrell founded his own practice in 1965 and it has continued in his own name since 1980. Originally from Newcastle, he has particular expertise in urban design and planning.
His work was prominent in London during the 1980s – examples include the TV-am building in Camden with its famous twin eggcups. His celebrated work overseas includes the Kowloon Station in Hong Kong and Maritime Square in Singapore.
Sir Terry, who was knighted in 2001, was the master planner of the blueprint for Edinburgh's Exchange financial district. His best-known buildings in the city are the international conference centre and the Dean Gallery.
The full article contains 705 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
