The developer of an Edinburgh hotel has requested more time to agree the financial contributions they will have to pay for the trams and other city infrastructure after negotiating for more than a year.

In May last year, council officers granted planning permission for a new 10 room boutique hotel on Princes Street, subject to financial contributions to public infrastructure being made as a condition.

But officers have said in a report, which will be considered by city councillors on Wednesday, that the hotel developers are now asking for even more time to agree on the level of the contributions.

Six months after the decision, the developers asked for a three month extension – and after this, they asked for another three months.

According to the report, solicitors for the landowners explained to officers that the property owners and the tenant had not been able to agree on who should pay the sum of £49,996.

Of the total, £21,691 is directed to tram infrastructure in the city, while a further £28,305 is allocated to public realm improvements.

But lawyers are asking for an extension, saying that an agreement has now been agreed in principle between the two parties on who should pay for the contributions.

Officers are recommending that the Development Management Sub-Committee should approve an extension until 1 September to allow this agreement to be finalised.

The hotel at 95-96 Princes Street will have ten rooms on two floors, with daytime access to the property through the Black Sheep coffee shop below.

Out of hours, visitors will be able to access their rooms through a back entrance facing out onto Rose Street Lane.

Permission for the hotel was originally granted by officers, but the second three month extension was considered by city councillors earlier this year.

The exterior of the building would not be affected by the redevelopment, but the developers have requested permission to place advertising for the hotel on exterior walls.

Developer contributions are required for a number of building projects in Edinburgh, with the intention that new developments subsidise some of their impact on the locality.

The request will be considered by the Development Management Sub-Committee on Wednesday, 6 August, which you can read here.

by Joe Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter