This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Donald Dewar announces ocean terminal development decision
24/12/1997
The Rt Hon Donald Dewar MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, has today indicated that he is minded to grant planning permission for the multi-purpose development at Western Harbour, Leith, known as Ocean Terminal.
The Secretary of State's approval of the development is subject to conditions and to the satisfactory conclusion of an agreement, between the applicant and the City of Edinburgh Council, under Section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.
The proposal, which is in outline, is to construct an ocean liner terminal and associated developments including a terminal building, restaurants and bars, multiplex cinema, health facilities, entertainment venue, food hall, large retail stores, variety stores, offices, night club, museum, a 100 bedroom hotel and 100 flats/town houses. The Secretary of State considers these proposals will contribute to the general strategy for the regeneration of Leith.
BACKGROUND
1. Forth Properties Ltd applied to the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) for outline planning permisssion to construct an ocean liner terminal and associated developments. CEC considered the application and concluded that they wished to approve it. They thereafter notified the application to the Secretary of State because they considered the proposal to be a significant departure from the then approved Structure Plan and the adopted Leith Local Plan.
2. Having considered the proposal, the former Secretary of State decided to call in the application for his own determination. This action was taken because of the proposed development's possible impact in retail, transport and infrastructure terms. The application was subsequently considered at a public local inquiry.