Edinburgh Council has rejected plans for a new city centre hotel due to fears from local residents over noise disturbance.
The City of Edinburgh Council rejected the application from the developers Archibald Marckay Hospitality Limited to convert a townhouse into a new hotel, on Stafford Street.
The B-listed townhouse is spread over four homes and was recently listed for sale at a price of £675,000, but has only been used for residential purposes.
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The site lies on the east side of Stafford Street at its junction with Queensferry Street Lane and is part of a terrace of classical townhouses built by Robert Brown, circa 1819-24 and was listed in 1970.
Almost 80 locals objected to the proposal on the planning application, with many citing fears over privacy and noise concerns.
One said: “As 11 Stafford Street is exactly opposite my home we are concerned about the increased flow of guests to a property of this nature including the inevitable noise and disturbance issues at all times of day or night. Were this to be a staffed hotel some of that concern would be alleviated.
“Traffic wise the street already struggles to provide parking for its residents. To add 15 additional rooms to a building that currently has no activity indicates additional pressure to this aspect of living in this area albeit we recognize not all guests would seek parking.”
In a report of handling on the planning application, David Givan from Edinburgh Council's planning department explained why it was recommended that the bid be rejected.
He said: “The proposals do not comply with Sections 59 and 64 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 or the development plan and nonstatutory guidance.
"The proposals will not preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area, will have a detrimental impact on the character of the listed building and could have adverse impact on neighbouring residential amenity. There are no material considerations which outweigh this conclusion.”
He added: “A self-service check-in desk is proposed on the ground floor. There is no guarantee that guests would not come and go frequently throughout the day and night and transient visitors may have less regard for neighbours’ amenity than long standing residents.
"On the balance of probability, there could be the potential for disturbance to the established residential character of the area and a detrimental impact on residential amenity.”
The council rejected the application on Wednesday, February 17, and it is unknown at this stage if the developers will appeal the decision.
