Edinburgh plans approved to transform Granton Lighthouse into new creative hub
Lighthouse plans get the green light
The council’s planning department has approved plans to transform Granton Lighthouse into a new creative hub for the community.
The City of Edinburgh Council submitted plans in November to its own planning department to transform the mid-19th century listed building at 20-22 West Harbour Road, with the plans including a possible new shop and a new cafe at the site.
Approving the plans on May 22, the council’s chief planning officer David Givan said: “The proposed uses are acceptable in principle, and the proposed design and adaption of the listed building aligns with development plan policies.
“Neighbouring amenity would be protected, subject to conditions, and the proposal satisfies the sustainability policies of the development plan. The impact on remaining heritage assets is acceptable.
“The proposal is acceptable in relation to matters such as transport and biodiversity. Subject to compliance with the recommended conditions the proposal is acceptable. There are no material considerations which outweigh the conclusion to grant planning permission.”
Those conditions include carrying out a programme of archaeological work before work begins and having the correct insulation in the kitchen cafe.
A fully detailed landscape plan, which includes details of all hard and soft surface and boundary treatments and all planting, is also to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority before work is commenced on site.
The approved proposals aim to transform the building into an asset for the community through a series of public facing spaces, including improved street presence through the restoration of the historic fabric and a new shopfront window.
The plans also include internal re-configuration, including adding lifts to facilitate safe and inclusive access throughout as much of the building as possible.
The introduction of a cafe at the ground floor level includes space for exhibitions, as well as a new stairway to access the lighthouse lantern which will include a viewing platform and additional exhibition space.
The application received two representations on the council’s planning portal, one objection and one in support.
The objector, a local resident, highlighted a loss of existing theatre storage, the need to secure sufficient amenity standards relating to noise, studio breakout and late night activity, and the need to avoid conflicts of use in the courtyard.
The Lord Cockburn Association welcomed the plans, saying it would bring the building back into productive use and improve access with a new, more inviting entrance and shop front.
The plans also include new glazed entrance doors to courtyard, new roof insulation installed by carefully removing and reinstating the existing slates, enlarged rooflights in the north attic roof, and new glazed screen and louvred plant enclosure to outbuildings with the partial demolition of brick walls.
Current uses at the waterfront site include a music recording studio and rehearsal spaces and storage. The proposed new uses of the building have been developed through collaboration between City of Edinburgh Council and Out of The Blue Arts and Education Trust - who will operate the building once the refurbishment is complete.
The aim is to turn this building - built in the 1860s as a two-storey 15-bay warehouse for the Northern Lighthouse Board - into a creative hub with a focus on music, including music rehearsal and recording studios, building on The Depot Studios’ existing presence.
The plans also include co-working and SME creative workspaces, smaller studio spaces for let, with the lighthouse lantern adapted as a viewing platform.
The applicant now has three years to begin work to turn the lighthouse into a new creative hub.
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