Historic cinema faces threat of demolition

A FORMER cinema which has lain empty for the last five years is set to be partially demolished to make way for a new hotel.

The former Odeon on South Clerk Street, described as "the finest surviving cinema building in Edinburgh", would have its listed auditorium demolished to make way for a public courtyard under the proposals, despite objections from local residents and Historic Scotland.

Developer Duddingston House Properties (DHP) wants to create a hotel with 231 beds, as well as artists' studios and a restaurant.

Planning officials have recommended the plans be given the go-ahead, despite objections from campaigners.

A spokesman for heritage body Historic Scotland said: "We do not believe the current proposal represents an acceptable conservation strategy. The building is B-listed, may be of national significance, and its condition is fair.

"It remains possible that this level of intervention is the minimum necessary to prevent the building being lost altogether, but up until now we have not seen any information which demonstrates this clearly."

Built in 1930 and originally called the New Victoria Cinema, the cinema was later run by Odeon Cinemas. It closed in 2003 and apart from occasional use as a venue during the Festival has lain empty ever since.

DHP has been exploring different options for the building since it bought it for an estimated £2 million in 2003.

The firm says the partial demolition and redevelopment of the building is the only way to ensure its long-term future.

Alan Henderson, the council's head of planning and strategy, said: "

On balance, it is considered that the applicants have demonstrated that the merits of bringing the remaining part of the building back into use, restoring its Clerk Street facade and the remaining interior, and creating an active frontage on both Clerk Street and Buccleuch Street justify the demolition of the rear section."

The plans have also received the backing of the heritage watchdog the Cockburn Association, which has welcomed the retention of the building's iconic facade.

But the Theatres Trust said the plans would lead to the loss of "one of Edinburgh's cultural and architectural assets, and one of the UK's finest atmospheric cinemas".

And the Southside Community Council, which has said it is eager to see the building redeveloped after lying empty for five years, has also objected, saying the hotel is too large and demolition unacceptable.

The planning committee is expected to approve the plans on Wednesday.