Fort Kinnaird cinema complex secures planning
March 15 2013
Designed by 3DReid the scheme will occupy the plot of a previous cinema and bowling alley which was demolished in 2008 and will entail creation of new restaurants, shops and pedestrian routes.
These will be housed in a series of single and two storey buildings faced with metallic composite panels and Prodema timber effect cladding with a glazed canopy providing sheltered entry and outdoor seating.
New paving and planting will be introduced to act as a ‘buffer’ to an existing expanse of car parking.
Fears have been expressed by analysts that further expansion of Edinburgh’s largest retail park could further debilitate the city centre.
Councillors deemed that the development wouldn't have a 'significant' impact on the city centre
Objections to the cinema were raised by rivals at Ocean Terminal, Cameron Toll and the Omni Centre
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7 Comments
#1 Posted by Mark West on 15 Mar 2013 at 12:02 PM
This article is factually inaccurate. The elected members on Edinburgh's planning committee approved the application against the recommendation for refusal by the planners.
#2 Posted by John Glenday on 15 Mar 2013 at 12:32 PM
Thanks Mark - I've distinguished planners from councilors.
#3 Posted by Partick Bateman on 15 Mar 2013 at 13:21 PM
This is just so depressing. I dont blame the architects, they're doing the best they can. But seriously, when are we going to stop building this car-orientated dross? Our town centres are dieing as it is with the increase in internet shopping... is this it? are we just going to sacrifice town centres now?
#4 Posted by Brian Holden on 15 Mar 2013 at 19:40 PM
Great decision to grant permission for this as there was a serious lack of cinema and restaurants at that end of town, east lothian, mid lothian and the borders. We own a caravan at Berwick and the only real cinemas from there are either Newcastle or back to Edinburgh. This is a great location, right on the A1 and great transport links from anywhere
#5 Posted by Egbert on 18 Mar 2013 at 12:03 PM
The elected members of CEC seem determined to undermine any attempt by the planners to resist out-of-town developments and the continued atrophy of the city centre and peripheral areas. This is the same bunch who approved two massive supermarkets literally 5 mins apart (and either side of a huge existing Asda) in south-west edinburgh against officer advice. One has to ask if these people are just too easily swayed by the seductive marketing efforts of these corporate applicants - ooh, shiny new stuff/better than what's there at the moment, etc.
#6 Posted by Moonbucket on 4 Sep 2013 at 01:35 AM
Cameron Toll objected to a cinema? Odd...
Agreed about the lack of facilities for East Lothian, the council here don't seem to care about leisure and retail development at all - almost everything requires a trip into Edinburgh.
I'm still aghast at the lunacy of building a cinema on the SAME plot where one was knocked down not that long ago - anyone know why it was demolished?
Agreed about the lack of facilities for East Lothian, the council here don't seem to care about leisure and retail development at all - almost everything requires a trip into Edinburgh.
I'm still aghast at the lunacy of building a cinema on the SAME plot where one was knocked down not that long ago - anyone know why it was demolished?
#7 Posted by Dave on 28 Jan 2014 at 13:05 PM
The cinema, bowling alley and 2 restaurants closed by 2008 as the the businesses were operating at a loss due to a substantial increase in rent. When their leases were due for renewal in 2004/5, British Land had already secured a new lease with Marks and Spencer which affected the rest of the park. The landlords wanted the 'bulky' units removed, replaced with smaller retail units.
They're expanding the site now as some of the smaller retailers on the park are struggling and closing down.
They're expanding the site now as some of the smaller retailers on the park are struggling and closing down.
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