On Wednesday the Save Leith Walk campaign will hand in a petition of more than 10,000 signatures to try and save the 80 year-old two storey sandstone building at Stead’s Place.
They will also hope to have the opportunity to speak at the meeting, and they are noted on the agenda for the meeting.
They say that the development plans ignore the historical significance of Leith Walk and the Leith Conservation Zone. They want the council to place a moratorium on the building to protect against future demolition, and they want the council to impose building maintenance orders on empty properties.
We spoke to Ian Hood about the campaign to save the building.
Sadly the building is fast emptying as tenants including The Bed Shop have found alternative premises. But the Save Leith Walk campaign continue to fight the plans for development lodged by Drum Property who own the block.
The plans were lodged by Drum Property at the beginning of August for a 2.9 acre development which includes affordable housing and post graduate student accommodation along with a hotel, restaurant, café and retail units. The developer claims that this is an ailing retail space and that it has been on the cards for development for about 10 years.
They also claim that their revised proposals for the site take notice of the consultations conducted with tenants, local community groups and others in the area.
Graeme Bone, Group Managing Director of Drum, said: “We have listened to the often passionate views of the local traders and community and we understand the importance of maintaining a distinctive and independent feel for this important stretch of Leith Walk – whilst bringing a bold, modern development for a confident and diverse Leith.
“The existing buildings at Stead’s Place are no longer an economically viable investment and we propose to invest £50 million in a new mixed-use development when all of the existing tenants move out and the site is completely vacant in 2019.
“Our proposals will bring an added dimension to Leith Walk, opening up what is currently an inhospitable industrial site by creating a vibrant, contemporary and accessible community for residents and visitors alike.”
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