Save Leith Walk campaigners to lobby Planning Committee

Campaigners to hand in 10,000 signature petition

For the past five months, residents, local businesses, and supporters of Leith have come together to protest the proposed development by Drum Group at 106-154 Leith Walk, which includes the demolition of 80-year old red sandstone buildings.

More than 10,000 people have signed a petition to prevent the demolition of the building, saying that the development plans ignore the historical significance of the Walk and are not in keeping with the culture and heritage of Leith. Historic Environment Scotland has said that the west side of Leith Walk, which is where Stead’s Place is located, and sits within the Leith Conservation Zone, is particularly strong and diverse.

During its deputation at Wednesday’s Planning Committee meeting, Save Leith Walk will hand in more than 10,000 signatures asking for the demolition of the Stead’s Place building to be stopped, and propose the following:

1. that there is a moratorium on future planning applications involving demolition, for at least five years following a refusal of demolition,
2. that maintenance orders can be issued to prevent developers leaving buildings to rot.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Drum Property Group wants to demolish our much loved red sandstone shops and offices on Leith Walk, which despite being built in 1933 are still known as the “New Shops”.

“We will be taking a deputation to tomorrow’s Planning Committee meeting to ask them to stop the demolition of the building. The historic sandstone front is an iconic part of Leith Walk and over 10,000 supporters have signed our petition to see it retained.

“We will be handing in our petition to the committee and explaining to them why the “New Shops” should stay. Come along and show your support for our campaign. Bring banners, posters and noise!”

The meeting starts at 2pm.