Edinburgh councillors back call to help shape Summerhall redevelopment plans
Those who work out of the arts venue told councillors to “support our continued existence”
Councillors have approved a motion urging the City of Edinburgh Council to take a proactive role in guiding Summerhall’s redevelopment as the arts venue faces partial demolition.
In a motion to its planning committee, Green councillor Steve Burgess called for a Local Place Brief to be drawn up to guide the site's future development and inform consideration of a planning application which is expected in the new year.
Property developer AMA began consulting on plans to transform parts of the former vet school into purpose-built student flats and a hotel at the start of last month.
Film and TV producer Annie Griffin and photographer Peter Dibdin, two of 140 tenants represented by Made in Summerhall, encouraged councillors to support the motion.
The pair noted that the estimated gross value added of the over 300 people employed across the many businesses that call the site home is approximately 20 to 30 million per year.
Ms Griffin said: “The potential displacement of so many creatives and innovators away from the city centre and its amenities, making way for the visitor economy will push the creative industry to other cities such as Stirling and Dundee who are actively encouraging spaces for start ups.
“What is a capital of culture without any homegrown creativity. Our community is a proven success story and we’re asking you to recognise and support our continued existence."
The proposals could see up to 80 per cent of Summerhall demolished, with four different mixed-use options initially presented for the site. Each features varying combinations of commercial units, serviced apartments, student accommodation and a hotel.
The front section of the complex would remain as a “reimagined” arts centre.
Cllr Burgess told the committee: “There's no doubt that Summerhall needs investment and existing users recognise this, and they would welcome a sympathetic development that conserves its unique heritage and protects much of its existing uses.
“What the community doesn't want to see is whole scale eviction of the current tenants of Summerhall, demolition of most of the buildings and their replacement with tourist and student accommodation and only a much reduced token arts facility only available at high rent.”
Produced by officers, an approved Local Places Brief would become non-statutory planning guidance and be a material consideration in future applications.
His proposed Local Place Brief would be based on a Local Place Plan consultation by the Southside Community Council which recommended that the venue be protected as a cultural, creative and community space.
The community council’s plan said Summerhall’s cultural, creative and community floorspace should be retained and that student, communal and visitor accommodation were not acceptable replacements.
Following considerable backlash to their plans, AMA pushed back a second consultation to December, saying that its proposals had “evolved” following local feedback.
A petition demanding that the council refuse planning permission once an application is formally submitted has received more than 14,000 signatures.
Speaking at the first consultation AMA’s managing director Dr Ali Afshar defended tye plans, saying: “Our vision has always been to redevelop this site with art as part of it and make it sustainable going forward.
“We're trying to provide an art centre that is fit-for-purpose today with additional uses on site that complements it and, hopefully by getting more footfall to the site, encourages more income and the use of the centre.”
The issue has been referred to the full council.