National Grid to apply for demolition order
18 June 2008
National Grid Property is to seek approval to demolish the remaining gasholder at The Forthquarter.
The 106-year-old gasholder, which dominates the north Edinburgh skyline has been examined by experts and their findings indicate that it is in poor condition, with widespread corrosion affecting the massive steel lattice structure
Historic Scotland accorded the 250 foot diameter holder Grade B Listed status as a symbol of Granton gasworks’ past, and as an example of Victorian engineering skills.
But an initial engineering survey jointly commissioned in 2005 by Forthquarter site developers National Grid Property and Historic Scotland cast major doubts on the viability of retaining it in its present form.
A further survey undertaken this year noted that a significant proportion of steel latticework and integral supports would require extensive repair to bring the structure to a satisfactory condition. Estimated costs for these repairs would be in the region of £5m. The structure would then require ongoing maintenance to address erosion from weather and age related stress on the supporting beams.
Further complications lie in managing health and safety issues during clean-up work that will be needed to address any contaminated soil located under the holder.
National Grid Property has been involved in lengthy discussions with Historic Scotland and with City of Edinburgh Planning officials over the holder’s future, Regional Property Manager, Mark Rylance confirmed that in depth discussions about the future of the holder including options for partial retention and/or relocation of some of the listed elements elsewhere on The Forthquarter site.
Mark added "The Forthquarter site’s redevelopment has transformed what was once an industrial area into a major new amenity for local community and the city. National Grid Property’s key aim in this regeneration is to create a sustainable and integrated community. We do not wish to erase the history and heritage of the area nor do we wish it to fall short of its potential”.
“At the start of this major project we identified and retained other structures including the former Station House which we believe offer the best opportunity to retain the link with the past while embracing the future”.
“In our opinion the retention of the holder would do little to stimulate economic investment in this section of Edinburgh Waterfront’s major urban regeneration programme, resulting in the residents of Granton and West Pilton missing out on potential jobs, leisure and education opportunities.
National Grid Property fully appreciate that this is a very emotive issue locally and city wide. We have recently outlined our plans to Ward Councillors and representatives from local community groups. All asked very probing questions about the efforts made to retain the lattice steel work and offered views and suggestions for alternative landmarks to identify North Edinburgh and ensure that the areas heritage was not lost.
We are extremely interested in a few of the suggestions, including the possibility of a Heritage Centre to showcase the industrial heritage of Granton and the possibility of reusing segments of the lattice steel work elsewhere on site. Generally the feedback was positive and most of those briefed understand the economic and commercial reasons behind our decision to apply for the demolition order. The holder needs to go so that the development can progress.
Prior to embarking on a comprehensive investigation into the condition of the holder and possible ways to retain the structure, National Grid Property engaged consultants to conduct independent research into the views of the local community. The results of this research indicated that fewer than 25% of those sampled believed that the listed holder was "of great historic importance".
The research also revealed that Less than 1 in 3 of those sampled believed that the best option would be to keep the listed holder, while 45% of those questioned categorically stated the best option would be to demolish it and forget about it".
National Grid Property is to seek approval to demolish the remaining gasholder at The Forthquarter.
The 106-year-old gasholder, which dominates the north Edinburgh skyline has been examined by experts and their findings indicate that it is in poor condition, with widespread corrosion affecting the massive steel lattice structure
Historic Scotland accorded the 250 foot diameter holder Grade B Listed status as a symbol of Granton gasworks’ past, and as an example of Victorian engineering skills.
But an initial engineering survey jointly commissioned in 2005 by Forthquarter site developers National Grid Property and Historic Scotland cast major doubts on the viability of retaining it in its present form.
A further survey undertaken this year noted that a significant proportion of steel latticework and integral supports would require extensive repair to bring the structure to a satisfactory condition. Estimated costs for these repairs would be in the region of £5m. The structure would then require ongoing maintenance to address erosion from weather and age related stress on the supporting beams.
Further complications lie in managing health and safety issues during clean-up work that will be needed to address any contaminated soil located under the holder.
National Grid Property has been involved in lengthy discussions with Historic Scotland and with City of Edinburgh Planning officials over the holder’s future, Regional Property Manager, Mark Rylance confirmed that in depth discussions about the future of the holder including options for partial retention and/or relocation of some of the listed elements elsewhere on The Forthquarter site.
Mark added "The Forthquarter site’s redevelopment has transformed what was once an industrial area into a major new amenity for local community and the city. National Grid Property’s key aim in this regeneration is to create a sustainable and integrated community. We do not wish to erase the history and heritage of the area nor do we wish it to fall short of its potential”.
“At the start of this major project we identified and retained other structures including the former Station House which we believe offer the best opportunity to retain the link with the past while embracing the future”.
“In our opinion the retention of the holder would do little to stimulate economic investment in this section of Edinburgh Waterfront’s major urban regeneration programme, resulting in the residents of Granton and West Pilton missing out on potential jobs, leisure and education opportunities.
National Grid Property fully appreciate that this is a very emotive issue locally and city wide. We have recently outlined our plans to Ward Councillors and representatives from local community groups. All asked very probing questions about the efforts made to retain the lattice steel work and offered views and suggestions for alternative landmarks to identify North Edinburgh and ensure that the areas heritage was not lost.
We are extremely interested in a few of the suggestions, including the possibility of a Heritage Centre to showcase the industrial heritage of Granton and the possibility of reusing segments of the lattice steel work elsewhere on site. Generally the feedback was positive and most of those briefed understand the economic and commercial reasons behind our decision to apply for the demolition order. The holder needs to go so that the development can progress.
Prior to embarking on a comprehensive investigation into the condition of the holder and possible ways to retain the structure, National Grid Property engaged consultants to conduct independent research into the views of the local community. The results of this research indicated that fewer than 25% of those sampled believed that the listed holder was "of great historic importance".
The research also revealed that Less than 1 in 3 of those sampled believed that the best option would be to keep the listed holder, while 45% of those questioned categorically stated the best option would be to demolish it and forget about it".