A HERITAGE watchdog has criticised a Royal Bank of Scotland hotel and homes plan for the Scottish capital, claiming it inflicts "unacceptable damage to the setting of the World Heritage Site" which it borders.
The Cockburn Association is one of hundreds to object to the RBS plan for Dundas Street in the New Town when it vacates the site next year, calling on Edinburgh City Council to reject the proposal.
The bank's plans received 452 comments, 445 of which were objections, three in support and the rest non-defined.
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The Cockburn Association also said the plans for the site that sits between Eyre Place and Fettes Row conflict with key local heritage policies and affect the ambience of King George V Park which the new buildings would also overlook.
The association said that "the quantum of the current proposals would result in unacceptable damage to the setting of the internationally significant World Heritage Site, the New Town Garden and Designed Landscape, listed buildings, the New Town Conservation Area, the local character, environmental quality and the residential amenity of the site".
Association director Marion Williams said that the "proposed density is too much for the site and we would urge a reduction in quantum and advocate a more sensitive and sustainable approach to this brownfield site".
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She said: "We are concerned that the amenity and ‘sense of place’ of the public park adjacent to the site will be negatively impacted."
The plan also includes shops, food and drink outlets, offices and a care home.
A spokeswoman for RBS said it is "giving full and careful consideration of the impact of the development in the preparation of the proposals" and "ultimately we will look to sell the site and buildings to developers who can realise the site’s potential, in line with planning guidelines".
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