Plans for new 207-room eight-storey hotel next to new Edinburgh Arena withdrawn after refusal recommendation
Plans for a new 207-room eight-storey hotel on vacant land next to the site of the planned Edinburgh Arena have been withdrawn after council officers recommended that they be refused.
Mollie's Motels Ltd submitted plans to the City of Edinburgh Council in December for a new hotel, restaurant, and ancillary facilities including bar, with associated infrastructure, works, landscaping, access and car parking, on vacant land 140 metres north of 15 Lochside Avenue, behind Edinburgh Park Station.
The currently vacant site to the west of the Premier Inn Edinburgh Park hotel extends to 0.63 hectares and is located at the southern edge of Edinburgh Park, with the site of the 8,500 capacity Edinburgh Arena due to open in 2028 on the other side of the Premier Inn, to the east.
After the proposals were recommended for refusal on March 17 by the council’s chief planning officer David Givan, the hotel plans were withdrawn on March 25.
Mr Givan said: “The proposal draws support from parts of the development plan and conflicts with it in other regards.
“In principle a hotel and restaurant use in this part of the city is supported by the development plan, however it conflicts with requirements of LDP policy Place 19 in terms of placemaking and housing delivery.
“In principle it is concluded the proposal is contrary to the development plan as it introduces a development that is not compatible with the emerging development at Edinburgh Park.
“While the layout of the proposal dedicates excessive space to car parking, the proposed building complies with other parts of the development plan including it's contemporary appearance and use of materials.
“Other matters such as management of surface water, amenity of surrounding development plots, landscaping and biodiversity would be capable of complying with the development plan subject to conditions.
“In summary and taking a balanced view, the proposal is contrary to the development plan and the material consideration of the housing emergency lends additional weight to the recommendation that the application should be refused.”
The proposals received 18 notes of support on the council’s online planning portal, with no objections by local residents.
One person said: “I work in the Pure Offices close to the site and would be pleased to see this development come forward. There is great demand for an eatery in the area, and the proposals are welcomed.”
While a local business owner commented: “As a neighbouring owner of a refurbished office building, I support the proposal for this hotel development.
“The proposal would improve the amenity of the Park, which, while retaining office use at it's core, will only thrive as part of a mixed use offering. Alternative and complementary uses should be encouraged.”
While, Joanne Davidson of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce said: “We believe this development represents a positive investment in the Edinburgh Park area, and note that it has been chosen as the first Scottish location of the Mollies brand, which signals a commitment to investment the city should welcome.
“The addition of high-quality accommodation and dining facilities would enhance the area's amenities, support local businesses, and contribute to economic growth through job creation and increased visitor activity.
“Given Edinburgh Park's strong transport links and its role as a key business destination, the proposal appears well suited to its surroundings.”
In the planning documents, the applicant highlighted the close proximity of this proposed new hotel to the new Edinburgh Arena.
The proposed development comprised a modern eight-storey building, accommodating 207 guest bedrooms, including a mix of standard double and twin rooms, bunk rooms, and a proportion of fully accessible rooms. As well as 90 car parking spaces and 33 standard cycle spaces.
The site is currently open grassland with occasional self-seeded scrub, and is largely flat allowing views of the five-storey Premier Inn to the east, the tram bridge to the south and west, with the six-storey Novotel hotel building beyond.
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