Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) is currently receiving criticism after backing plans for a budget hostel in Atholl Crescent
The Scottish heritage watchdog is one of the largest in the country, and is well known for protecting the country’s architectural history.
It has backed plans for a 544-bed budget hostel in Edinburgh’s New Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing criticism from many local residents.
There have been 280 objections to the decision
Among the objectors are other heritage bodies and industry experts, including Morris and Steedman Associates, the director of which, Philip Flockhart said “The notion that such historic interiors can accommodate upwards of 544 people, an occupancy more than ten times that of their original design, is simply misconceived.”
The project in question would turn four townhouses into the hostel. The buildings are Category A-listed, and have stood empty for four-years when aa legal firm stopped using them as office space.
Plans had previously been approved to make the townhouses into 34 apartments
Terry Levinthal, the director of Edinburgh World Heritage, has reaffirmed EWH’s support of the plan, stating the plans are “acceptable” with a “heritage-led approach.” He stated that the plans are reversible due to the use of removable pods, which minimises the need for internal works.
Opponents state that the opposite is true, arguing that the infrastructure needed for 544 cannot be anything but extensive and would damage the buildings.
The Cockburn Association has written a formal objection, in which it states that the hostel would cause “substantial and irreversible harm to the special architectural and historic interest.”
The balance between conservation and development remains tenuous
Writing for PBC Today in March, Dr Emma Wells of SLR Consulting discussed the development and maintenance of historic buildings, and the challenges associated with retrofitting and developing listed buildings.
Dr Wells writes: “According to Historic England, there are more than 370,000 listed buildings in the UK. They make up the largest proportion of ‘designated heritage assets’ recorded by the statutory body, with other examples including scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, registered battlefields, protected wreck sites, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
“In the built environment, when we discuss the redevelopment and maintenance of historic buildings, the list can be typically much wider. For instance, a building society may be housed in a historic structure, meaning any modifications must respect its original design, character, and remaining features.
“Similarly, when constructing new buildings, such as a library or community centre, next to a historic church, it’s essential to consider the materials, design, and overall appearance of the local area.”
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