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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Backing for city Old Town upgrade | Backing for city Old Town upgrade |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Plans for a £50m redevelopment of a large part of Edinburgh's Old Town are being recommended for approval by city officials. | |
| The area close to the Scottish Parliament is earmarked for new shops, cafes, bars, student accommodation and academic buildings. | The area close to the Scottish Parliament is earmarked for new shops, cafes, bars, student accommodation and academic buildings. |
| The plans, drawn up by Edinburgh University, are for an area in between Holyrood Road and the Royal Mile. | The plans, drawn up by Edinburgh University, are for an area in between Holyrood Road and the Royal Mile. |
| Councillors are due to consider the proposals on Wednesday. | Councillors are due to consider the proposals on Wednesday. |
| Final decision | |
| However, the final decision on the scheme will be made by Scottish Executive ministers. | |
| The scheme includes demolishing the Chessel's Land, St Mary's Land and Weir's Land buildings on the university's school of education campus on the north side of Holyrood Road. | |
| They will be replaced by about 230 flats and apartments, as well as shops and other businesses on Holyrood Road. | |
| About 60 flats will be built on the gap site beside St Leonard's Land - the Scottish Centre for Physical Education, Sport and Leisure Studies - on the south side of Holyrood Road, above and behind new commercial space. | |
| There will be a lot of traffic from tourists visiting the parliament and the palace so it is a great spot to build new shops and cafes Graham BellEdinburgh Chamber of Commerce | |
| The sports centre is also planned to be extended to the rear. | |
| At the junction of Holyrood Road and St Mary's Street will see a new gallery or cultural building. | |
| A new boulevard of shops, restaurants, cafes and offices would be created on Holyrood Road. | |
| About 40 "affordable" homes between Viewcraig Gardens and Edinburgh University's Pleasance campus would be built. | |
| Refurbishing and extending the currently empty Charteris Land university building on St John Street is also part of the plans for the area. | |
| Education facilities | |
| Graham Bell, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce spokesman, said: "This regeneration project is a good thing. The buildings are ageing and not spectacular. | |
| "The area is of strategic importance because it is in the heart of an area being rejuvenated in Edinburgh. | |
| "There will be a lot of traffic from tourists visiting the parliament and the palace, so it is a great spot to build new shops and cafes." | |
| Alan Henderson, Edinburgh Council head of planning, said: "The mix of uses proposed will facilitate an increase in the population of the Old Town and strengthen the education facilities in the area. | |
| "The residential accommodation will include flats for sale, affordable units and student accommodation. | |
| "This mix is acceptable within the context of the existing diverse unit type and uses in this area." |