{"id":1145679,"date":"2026-08-13T06:07:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T06:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1145679\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T06:07:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T06:07:25","slug":"community-campaign-launched-against-121-room-carbuncle-hotel-in-leith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1145679\/","title":{"rendered":"Community campaign launched against 121-room “carbuncle” hotel in Leith"},"content":{"rendered":"

The plans<\/a>, which would see a new 121-room hotel built at Rennie\u2019s Isle, on the Shore<\/a>, are at the pre-application stage, and developers are seeking input from locals and stakeholders.<\/p>\n

FaulknerBrowns Architects \u2013 who developed the plans<\/a> \u2013 have already held consultation events, and plan to submit a formal planning application within the month.<\/p>\n

The 10-storey development at Rennie\u2019s Isle supersedes an earlier apartments proposal and would replace a previous three-storey office block.<\/p>\n

\"AA 10-storey section of the development will tower over the Shore \u00a9 FaulknerBrowns<\/p>\n

In a consultation statement, the developer, VRS, say: \u201cThe proposal seeks to redevelop a currently under-used site at the corner of Ocean Drive and Rennie\u2019s Isle, Leith \u2013 replacing a building of limited architectural merit and poor environmental performance with a landmark hotel that responds to identified market demand, supports economic activity within Leith, and delivers a high-quality, low-carbon development.\u201d<\/p>\n

A 10-storey segment of the development will sit at the northern corner of Rennie\u2019s Isle, which is connected to the opposite bank of the Shore by the Victoria Swing Bridge and the new Victoria Bridge, which carries cars and trams across the Water of Leith.<\/p>\n

FaulknerBrowns added: \u201cThe fa\u00e7ade strategy draws directly from local precedent\u2026 identifying recurring elements that give Leith its distinct maritime-industrial character. The result is a contemporary building that feels unmistakably of its place.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 10-storey section will be joined by a medium and base section, forming a modular whole with a \u201cclear tripartite articulation\u201d.<\/p>\n

The developers have begun consulting locals on the project, and the window for responses will be open until September.<\/p>\n

Locals opposed to the development say the large hotel will tower over the relatively low Shore skyline.<\/p>\n

\"MuralsMurals (left) would depict Leith\u2019s history in the wine trade \u00a9 FaulknerBrowns<\/p>\n

On their website, they wrote: \u201cThis proposal for a 121 bedroom hotel development at 1 Rennie\u2019s Isle raises serious concerns about the scale, design and proposed hotel use for this sensitive waterfront location, immediately adjacent to an established residential area.<\/p>\n

\u201cAppropriate investment and regeneration in Leith is accepted. This is not an objection to change or improvement of the site. It is an objection to a development that appears to be driven by maximising commercial value rather than creating a building that respects the character of Rennie\u2019s Isle, the waterfront and the existing community.\u201d<\/p>\n

They say the hotel would introduce a barrier between parts of the Shore and the listed Victoria Swing Bridge, which is a major draw for tourists.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe proposed development would replace an open relationship with the docks with a blank two storey brick wall immediately adjacent to Rennie\u2019s Isle carpark, and a 10-storey tower looming above.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis creates a physical and visual barrier between people and the waterfront. It is very poor place making and provides substandard urban realm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Given the site\u2019s proximity to Ocean Terminal and the tramline, campaigners also claimed that traffic will \u201cinevitably\u201d begin to back up on Ocean Drive because of a lack of a pick-up\/drop-off provision for taxis, and \u201cinadequate\u201d parking amenity (one space per five guests).<\/p>\n

VRS says it has already held three pre-application meetings with the council and claims 27 jobs (three full-time and 24 part-time) would be created if the hotel plan is approved.<\/p>\n

This article or a part of it is provided by the news agency Deadline News Limited and published here with permission.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"image_pdf\"<\/a>\"image_print\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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