Plans for 53-bed 'apart-hotel' in listed Georgian townhouses set for approval despite community objections
Residents warned more visitor accommodation could “fundamentally change” the character of the area for residents
Plans to develop six B-listed city centre townhouses into an “apart-hotel” are set to be approved next week after the number of proposed beds was cut from 90 to 53.
The proposals would see the 19th-century terraced houses at 16 - 26 Forth Street, which were previously used as offices, converted into a series of apartments with a “hotel type” reception and facilities.
The plans also include the extension of an existing annex behind the houses, and the construction of a new rear extension.
Edinburgh council committee papers published ahead of a meeting on September 30 recommend that permission for the development is granted, despite dozens of objections from residents and the city’s heritage bodies since the plans were submitted in February.
In June, developers Limetree Developments (West) Limited decided to reduce the number of hotel units to 53 following concerns raised by Historic Environment Scotland about changes to the layout of the building’s principle rooms and the visibility of the decorative ceilings and other architectural features.
But despite the changes, Edinburgh World Heritage said the rear extension in particular continued to be “objectionable” and eroded the traditional pattern of buildings found in the New Town.
Meanwhile, the plans received over 70 objections from residents, which included concerns about the over-provision of “hotel-type” accommodation in the area, the impact of increased noise and disruption, and the scale of the rear extension which some said risks “overshadowing” neighbouring properties.
A response submitted in March by resident Richard Price on behalf of the New Town and Broughton Community Council said: “While we welcome and support the continued repair and reuse of historic buildings in principle, the scale, interventions and intensity of the proposed development raise significant concerns.”
He continued: “We have concerns regarding the design and scale of the proposed rear extension within the courtyard environment, which we believe must remain clearly subordinate to the historic terrace.
“More broadly, the proposal contributes to an increasing pattern of converting buildings within the city centre to visitor accommodation.
“While tourism is an important part of Edinburgh’s economy, the cumulative loss of employment and mixed-use functions risks undermining the balanced character of the New Town.
“The proposal undermines the concept of localism and appears contrary to the ‘20 minute neighbourhood’ aspirations which we broadly support.”
One resident said: “I have lived on Forth Street with my husband since June of 2007, and chose to live there because it is within walking distance of shops and amenities, as well as public transport links, as we do not own a vehicle and are getting on in years.
“Back in 2007, Forth Street was a quiet, one-way, mainly residential street with some business accommodation. Now my street also houses Forth House, a 66-room apart-hotel operated by Supercity, which is directly next door to my home, and the proposed development will be directly across the road from me.
“I believe the proposed development will change the character of our community on a fundamental basis, as well as creating an unsustainable over-provision of "hotel-type" accommodation, directly undermining the residential character of the New Town Conservation Area.”
The proposals will be considered at a meeting of the council’s Development Management Sub-Committee next Wednesday.