Edinburgh ‘boatel’ decision overturned
A CONTROVERSIAL planning application that was unanimously refused by Edinburgh City Council has been granted permission by Scottish Government after an appeal.
The plan is for five static boat hotels (boatels) on the Union Canal on moorings outside Boroughmuir High School.
The original application received 375 comments: 373 objections and two of support.
Scottish Canals has allocated 12 sites on the Union Canal for new boat hotels.
The mooring location runs contrary to advice from the IWA which advises that permanent on-line moorings should, wherever possible, be located on the non-towpath side of the canal.
Local councillor and City Canal Champion Gavin Corbett said: “I am dismayed by this decision by the Scottish Government.
“The council’s planning committee unanimously refused permission for these floating hotel boats, quite rightly in my view.
“Now the Scottish Government Reporter has ridden roughshod over the views of councillors, the school community and the wider community around the canal. I have yet to find anyone locally who supports boatels in this location.
“When Boroughmuir High School was built by the canal, there was genuine enthusiasm for the school having a real interaction with the canal rather than it just being a pretty backdrop.
“Now, access to the water will be blocked off by a line of holiday boats right outside the school door. What next? A caravan park outside every primary school?
“The Scottish Government and Scottish Canals should hang their heads in shame.”