EDINBURGH SET FOR NEW 51-BEDROOM HOTEL AT NOTORIOUS CITY CENTRE EYESORE FORMER CAR RENTAL UNIT

Edinburgh Picardy Place Ltd is behind the plans to transform the former Hertz car rental units at 10 Picardy Place into a 51-bedroom apartment hotel. The new hotel would comprise en-suite rooms, a courtyard area and reception.

The council’s planning department made a delegated decision to approve the plans on June 26, subject to six conditions. These conditions include details of the proposed external stairlift at the main entrance being given to the local authority, work starting on-site within three years and a site survey being carried out.

In a heritage statement by Cundall on behalf of Edinburgh Picardy Place Ltd, the developers argued their case for the plans to be approved to replace the current eyesore empty unit into a new hotel.

It said: “Currently vacant and with the last former use as a garage no longer a viable option, there is an immediate need to secure a new appropriate use for this property if its significance is to be sustained.

“The proposed development will provide an economically sustainable long-term future use for 10 Picardy Place that will not only preserve and enhance the special interest of the B-listed building, but it will also preserve and enhance the character and quality of this part of the Conservation Area and World Heritage Site by securing a number of conservation gains.”

The local community council for New Town and Broughton welcomed the proposals.

In a letter to the council’s planning department, it said: “In summary, whilst having some reservations with the proposal as presented, NTBCC are broadly supportive of this application.

“We accept that the proposed use is appropriate for this location and overall the proposal will return a vacant property to active use.”

Edinburgh World Heritage also accepted the plans, adding: “From an overall World Heritage Site perspective, we consider that the proposals are acceptable in principle.

“Given the significant degree of alteration of the building, there is a considerable opportunity for its conversion to reinstate key elements of the building’s quality classical design and we advise that every opportunity is taken to do so.”

2024-07-03T15:53:28Z dg43tfdfdgfd