The Glasite Meeting House 33 Barony Street Edinburgh EH3 6NX

T: 0131 557 0019 F: 0131 557 0049 E: fbcasework@ahss.org.uk W: www.ahss.org.uk

THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND

For the study and protection of Scottish architecture

The City of Edinburgh Council City Chambers High Street Edinburgh EH1 1YJ 19 December 2011 Dear Councillor COWGATE & SOUTH BRIDGE FIRE SITE 11/02998/FUL We are writing to you prior to the meeting of the Development Management SubCommittee on Wednesday to encourage you to discuss and reject the proposals for the fire site on the Cowgate/South Bridge. The Society remains disappointed in the proposals which are neither a reconstruction of the 18th century scheme nor high quality contemporary design but an architectural fudge. The AHSS contributed to the 2003 Planning Brief for the site and we are therefore frustrated to find that the proposals fail to comply with the following points agreed upon by parties consulted (par 6.9): The end gable facing over Cowgate should be reinstated. The profile, width, height, architectural detailing and expression should mirror the gable directly opposite. A laser survey of the previous gable was undertaken. All traditional floor to floor heights from shop level upwards must be restored. The cornice line above the ground floor and at eaves level should establish a relationship with those remaining. The symmetry and rhythm of the Georgian facades of South Bridge must be reinstated/ reflected.

The Planning Report describes the proposed gable as reflecting the gable opposite rather than mirroring as required by the brief. The proposal is a poor pastiche not a scholarly use of classical detail or proportion. That reconstruction is intended by the Brief is emphasized by reference to the laser survey of the lost gable. The Reports mention of authenticity is a red herring. The Report states that traditional floor to floor heights are to be constructed but that is manifestly untrue. The proposed gable elevation has 4 floors of windows when the traditional, and opposite gable, had only 3 floors. The attempt to fit 5 floors between street level and the eaves results in an uncomfortable elevation. If you look down South Bridge the 2 storeys of windows above the shops are what give it a strong character and
President: Simon Green The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) is a registered charity: SC007554REG The Society is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee: SC356726 Chairman: Peter Drummond

this will be disrupted and damaged by the proposals of 4 floors above a shop front. The mezzanine of square windows on the first floor is a complete anomaly. It is somewhat exasperating to be consulted upon a development brief for an important site in the Old town, agree to its contents and for the planning authority to subsequently disregard, and misrepresent, said document. South Bridge was conceived by Robert Adam in the 1780s as a ceremonial route to the New Town and is one of Europes earliest urban viaducts. Built by Robert Kay it remains an incredibly significant component of Enlightenment town planning and therefore change must be very sensitively considered. We would suggest that desperation to see the gap site developed is resulting in an inferior scheme being recommended for approval and we would encourage you as an elected representative to refuse consent to ensure that better proposals for the site can come forward. Should you wish to discuss the matter further please do not hesitate to get in touch. Yours sincerely

Euan Leitch on behalf of Forth & Borders Cases Panel

President: Simon Green The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) is a registered charity: SC007554REG The Society is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee: SC356726

Chairman: Peter Drummond