New 109-bedroom hotel approval for prominent Edinburgh site next to shopping centre in 'vote of confidence'
A new hotel has been approved for Cameron Toll in Edinburgh.
The approval of plans for a new hotel next to Edinburgh’s Cameron Toll has been hailed as a clear vote of confidence in the future of the shopping centre.
The 109-bedroom hotel on Liberton Road was given the go-ahead by the city council’s development management sub-committee on Wednesday. Members of the sub-committee voted six to three to grant the planning application.
The hotel is intended to cater for business and leisure tourists, but also people visiting the nearby Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Sick Kids Hospital.
And the developers say the development has been designed to blend in with the proposed North-South tramline between Granton and the BioQuarter, which would run close by. The hotel would also have a direct pathway to the shopping centre.
The committee asked for a minor change to reduce oversight of the neighbouring Dunedin School by using frosted glass in the windows of the restaurant, which the developers said they were happy to support.
The development is seen as the first part of a masterplan for Cameron Toll to give it more of a “town centre” feel with shopping and leisure and even new housing.
Andrew Moffat, managing director of Hunter REIM, which is behind the development, said: “We’re obviously delighted that the proposals were approved.
“This is a very clear vote of confidence in Cameron Toll and in its future. We see these proposals as the first step in much more substantial investment in Cameron Toll, which has a much brighter future because of today’s decision.
“We look forward to bringing forward those proposals in due course as part of a wider public consultation on the future vision for improving Cameron Toll, following discussions with local partners, including Dunedin School.
“We will move forward with the appointment of a contractor to deliver the new hotel, which when open will boost tourism and encourage tourists to travel beyond the city centre to enjoy much more of what Edinburgh has to offer.”
Mr Moffat thanked the committee for its careful consideration of the proposals. “I’d also like to say that we’ll happily accept the condition to reduce the oversight of our neighbour Dunedin School,” he said. “We will continue to work in partnership with Dunedin School and all of our neighbours to minimise any negative impacts that the construction work may cause.”
Cameron Toll Shopping Centre opened in 1984 and was often referred to by the name of the anchor store at that time, Savacentre. Sainsbury’s is now the anchor tenant at Cameron Toll.
The centre has operated successfully since 1984, but with changes in shopping trends and the growth on online shopping it is facing an increasingly challenging trading environment.
The plans brought forward by Hunter REIM and their partners Franklin Templeton are described as seeking to invest and raise the quality of Cameron Toll to create a vibrant and sustainable centre and facilities.
The centre has invested heavily in sustainability, with 330 rooftop solar panels providing renewable energy to the centre year-round.
And through the Cameron Toll Community Fund, the centre has given grant funding to a wide range of local groups in the area, including Prestonfield Neighbourhood Project, Edinburgh South Women’s Cricket Team, Gilmerton Community Centre and the Craigmillar Literacy Trust.
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