The Cockburn Association, one of Edinburgh's main heritage watchdogs is fuming over the handling of the immense Caltongate scheme by the council.

A formal complaint has been lodged by the group over plans for a huge regeneration project in parts of the old town, which is being undertaken by Moungrange Ltd.

In a letter responding to the Masterplan set out by the contractor and the council, the Association states that it objects "in the strongest possible terms to the developments as proposed in the Masterplan."

The Cockburn Association, a registered charity, further claims that it remains sceptical about the purpose of the plans and who the main beneficiaries will be: "The proposals are architect-developer led and we question this approach," they added: "The Developer's requirements, particularly in terms of the hotel and large office floor plate are clearly setting the primary agenda for the development of the site."


Buildings at risk from the development, according to the association, include the Canongate Venture at 5 new Street, the Tenements at 221-229 Canongate and The Old Sailors Ark Building, which is a C listed building.

A spokesperson from Edinburgh Council planning department said: "The Masterplan has been subject to the process of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) The Environmental Report together with the comments received during the SEA process have been taken into account in the production of the final Masterplan and this will be detailed in the subsequent SEA Statement, which will be produced by the Council."

(DW/JM)