Date set for £20m Cowgate rebuilding project

WORK is set to start next summer on a £20 million scheme to build nightclubs, bars, restaurants, offices and shops on the fire-hit Cowgate site.

Developers have been invited to submit bids for the major project, which is also expected to include flats above South Bridge, before a planning application is submitted early next year. The joint-owners of the site said the project could be completed as early as the summer of 2007.

It marks a major step forward for plans to breathe new life into the landmark site following the completion of an economic appraisal study to explore development options earlier this year.

City leaders were adamant in the aftermath of the December 2002 blaze that the site was to be redeveloped sooner rather than later.

Award-winning city architect Malcolm Fraser, who designed Dance Base in the Grassmarket, has already delivered early sketches of the proposed scheme to the joint-owners as work progresses on the final design.

Mr Fraser last year unveiled his vision for the fire-hit site, including a central square, "historic" closes and wide steps linking the area to the Cowgate and surrounding streets.

The owners of the site include Raymond Codona, owner of the former Leisureland amusement arcade; Hafid Mahboub, owner of La Belle Angele nightclub; Forbes Leslie, owner of the Gilded Balloon building; and Edinburgh University.

A new building, which was expected to be of contemporary design, would be about the same height as its destroyed predecessor and would feature a mixture of traditional stonework and glass to let light into the site.

A spokesman for the joint-owners said: "The owners of the site on Cowgate and South Bridge which was severely damaged by a fire in December 2002 and subsequently demolished have combined their interests and are now to seek a development partner to assist in the redevelopment of this important and historical site.

"Once a development partner is selected, a planning application will be lodged with a view to starting on-site in the summer of 2005 and a hoped-for completion in the summer of 2007. At present, the development proposals include re-instating many of the previous uses, including nightclubs, bars, restaurants, retail and offices.

"The upper-floor accommodation above South Bridge will be the subject of a detailed discussion with the chosen developer. The development project construction value is likely to be in the order of 20 million."

Edinburgh City Council leader Donald Anderson welcomed the progress on redeveloping the site. He said: "I am delighted to hear this and it is fantastic news for the city."

More than 150 fire appliances from across central Scotland helped tackle the fire, which burned for 52 hours from the night of 7 December, 2002.