THE campaign to save one of Edinburgh's longest streets that has the support of high profile names such as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, The Proclaimers and Irvine Welsh has been won.
The proposed development at Stead’s Place has been refused by the city planning committee.
The decision was welcomed by the Save Leith Walk campaign which said: "We have a vision for Leith, for community led development, meeting local housing needs, supporting small business, today we are a step closer to achieving that.
"Thank you to everyone who has supported us. A win for communities across Scotland."
The Save Leith Walk campaign was launched to fight plans for a £50 million redevelopment which the group says ignores the historical significance of the street.
The campaigners were celebrating in September, when yhe city council "finally" accepted their "stop the demolition" petitions.
The campaign was formed by concerned residents who say Drum Property Group’s plans were not in keeping with the surrounding culture and heritage of the area.
They say the sandstone frontage is an "iconic part" of Leith Walk that many want to see kept.
The developer wanted to build a facility incorporating a 500-bed student accommodation, 56-bedroom hotel, 53 affordable homes, a restaurant, café and retail units.
Campaigners were fighting to preserve the sandstone frontage on Leith Walk which will be bulldozered if the plans go ahead.
More than 12,500 have signed petitions and over 4,000 have written personal letters and lodged formal objections to the developer’s plans.
The land was purchased by Drum in 2017 with the city council earmarking the site for development since 2008.
In its submission Drum said while the frontage to Leith Walk site falls within the boundaries of Leith Walk Town Centre and the Leith Conservation Area, Historic Environment Scotland said it did not meet the criteria for listing.
In response to the decision, the campaign group added. It is proof that if you organise and engage with local people, if you stay positive and refuse to give up, then you can have a say in how your area is developed. Rarely has Leith’s motto ‘persevere’ been more appropriate.
“We would like to thank the councillors at today’s meeting for listening to the people who elected them, opposing the demolition and recognising that the proposed development was wholly inappropriate for this site.
“We thank the many thousands of people who have supported this campaign, turned up to public meetings, workshops, bought T-shirts, lodged objections, signed petitions and shared ideas. Your voices have been heard.
“This campaign has secured cross-party support and we would like to thank our local MSP, councillors and community councils and who have been steadfast in their objection to the proposed demolition and development at every step of the way."
Graeme Bone, group managing director of Drum, said before the plans went to the council: “For the past eighteen months, we have worked closely with the council, the local community and many groups, businesses and organisations to address the urgent need to bring new investment, connectivity and life back to this hugely important part of Leith Walk and the wider Pilrig area.
“Given there are no valid planning reasons to oppose the proposals, we trust that the elected members will now share the view of their officers and give the green light to this major transformational investment opportunity for Leith Walk and the rest of the city.”
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