Campaigners fight building plans in ‘oasis of greenness’

More than 1,000 sign petition to oppose development beside park

CAMPAIGNERS have launched a fightback against plans for a development they claim would spoil the ambience of a historic Edinburgh park on the edge of a World Heritage Site.

A petition with more than 1,000 signatures has been collected to block a bid to create a new hotel, shopping and housing complex on the site of soon-to-be vacated Royal Bank of Scotland offices.

The site overlooks King George V Park and Eyre Place and is just south of the Unesco World Heritage Site boundary.

It has been argued that the new development would shroud the park in darkness, and local residents Dorothy Hogg and Dylan White are among those to have taken up the fight against potential overdevelopment at the site.

Mr White, who started the 1,000strong petition, said: “King George V Park is the only public park in the New Town area. It is an oasis of greenness, nature and tranquility in the heart of the city.

“Now RBS is selling its office on Dundas Street and Eyre Place for redevelopment into residential blocks and retail units.

“On paper this is a good thing. More people should have the chance to live, work and play in our neighbourhood.”

He added: “King George V Park isn’t big. It isn’t even especially beautiful. But it’s a wonderful, unique space where people of all ages can relax, breathe and play.

“And it’s all we’ve got. Over the years so much work has been done to nurture and protect this place. Don’t let it be ruined for a shortterm profit.”

And he continued: “The Dundas Street site will, and should, be developed. But that must be balanced with the need to protect what makes the area worth living in in the first place.

A council report earlier revealed: “It is proposed to build two blocks on the application site. The principal block is almost C-shaped and is proposed for the eastern part of the site extending from the northern to southern boundary. It will be parallel to the boundary of King George V Park. The other, smaller block, will be oblong in shape and sit on the south-western corner of Eyre Terrace.

Marion Williams, of the heritage body the Cockburn Association, said: “At this point the aim would be to mass as much as possible on the site to maximise the value. It is unlikely once bought that we would get the same uses or design, so back to the drawing board. However, whatever is approved becomes the parameters for redesign so it is important that the local community and wider Edinburgh community express their views at this point. The local authority asks for mixed developments hence the residential units, hotel, shops and a misplaced ‘square’.

“The design guidance is wrong and we end up with this muddle.

“Edinburgh needs affordable housing. Here is an ideal site.”

A spokeswoman for RBS said: “We announced last year our intention to vacate the Fettes and Dundas site. We have now engaged specialist advisers to work with us to explore the development opportunities for the site. We are giving full and careful consideration of the impact of the development in the preparation of the proposals.

“Ultimately we will look to sell the site and buildings to developers who can realise the site’s potential, in line with planning guidelines.”

A separate campaign is also calling for RBS to help save the former home of a long disbanded Scottish Cup-winning football club.

The former home ground of once feted outfit St Bernard’s FC, which won a Scottish Cup final at the end of the 19th century, has long been used as a car park for RBS data centre. But is is hoped the bank would consider donating the site to Edinburgh City Council so that the club’s heritage could be safeguarded.

Lothian Green MSP Alison Johnstone is calling on constituents to make their feelings known on the future of Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns before a council survey closes on July 25.

‘‘ George V Park isn’t big ... but it is a wonderful, unique space where people of all ages can relex, breathe and play