Leith Sucks.net

(EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS SATURDAY 28th JULY 2007)

HERITAGE chiefs were under growing pressure today to drop plans to turn one of Leith’s most historic buildings into flats. The National Trust for Scotland is currently negotiating the sale of 17th century Lamb’s House to city council-owned development company, EDI. Up to 12 apartments and new offices would be created in the landmark building, just off the Shore. A 1960s extension would also be knocked down and replaced with a modern block. The NTS are confident EDI would carry out a “sensitive” redevelopment and believe the venture is the best way to secure the future of Lamb’s House.  Campaigners believe though the A-listed building is one of the best options for a proposed Leith museum and they are to lobby the city council to help persuade the NTS to have a change of heart.

The trust today insisted it did not have enough resources to turn the four-storey building into a museum or visitor centre. John Mark Di Ciacca, EDI’s director of property and development, said: “We’re working closely with our architects, planners at the council and the NTS to ensure that this challenging development is a success. “We recognise that Lamb’s House is a grade-A listed building of historical importance, which now requires significant refurbishment and attention.”

However Graham Chapman, chairman of Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council, said that while he supported new housing in the area, it should not be at the expense of opening up Lamb’s House for the public. He said: “A museum of Leith is long overdue and would be a far better use for a listed building like this than more apartments. It’s also obvious that a new visitor attraction like that would have a lot of public support.”

Lothians Green MSP Robin Harper added: “It would be completely bizarre for somewhere like Lamb’s House to be turned into luxury flats, particularly bearing in mind its conservation listing.” Independent MSP Margo MacDonald said: “Lamb’s House is an integral part of Leith and I’d hope the council would be able to intervene and try to get the idea of a museum in there properly off the ground.”

Jim Tweedie, chairman of Leith Local History Society, also backed the calls for a museum, saying: “We’ve been arguing for the creation of a museum of Leith for years. It’s something we’d love to see created in the area.” Bryan Dickson, head of buildings at the NTS, said however they had to ensure that all their properties were managed effectively to protect Scotland’s heritage. He said: “We don’t have the resources available to take forward any kind of proposal like a museum and it’s also important that any plan is appropriate for the building.”