24-04-2025
Plans for Edinburgh railway viaduct to become hotel with cafe refused by council
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Plans for an Edinburgh railway viaduct to be transformed into a modern hotel and cafe have been rejected.
In January we reported how Genlo Design submitted proposals to convert the industrial unit on Leith's Gordon Street into a 15-bedroom aparthotel with cafe facilities.
However, council planning officers refused permission this week, saying: "it is not clear adequate amenity levels would be maintained for neighbouring residential properties."
They added how the proposals "fail to adequately show" the required alterations would preserve or enhance the character of the conservation area as not enough information has been provided to reflect this.
The site, at 20 Gordon Street, has been used as a storage and service area having originally been built as part of the Leith Walk train station. At roof level lies the redundant track and platforms levels which is largely overgrown.
The proposals illustrated how the ground floor would house the cafe and include the entrance to 15 apartments above. A new build extension to the rear would have retained the form of an infill railway arch while providing expanded accommodation.
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The upper floor accommodation would also have boasted a rooftop extension with views above the existing track level.
Council officers wrote: "The principle of a 15 bed apart hotel on the site cannot be supported as it is unlikely to accord with other policies in the Development Plan. This is due to the fact that it has not been demonstrated that a 15 bed apart hotel development could take place without physical alterations/extensions to the building.
"Therefore, without this information, there may be an adverse impact on wider coordinated development and the proposals would not preserve the character of the Leith Conservation Area. Due to the constrained nature of the site, the proposal has the potential to constitute overdevelopment for the site as it has not been demonstrated how the development of 15 apart hotel units could be developed.
"There are no material considerations which indicate that the proposals should be granted. Therefore, the proposal is not supported."
