The redevelopment would result in some parts of the site being demolished
The redevelopment of Fringe venue and arts centre Summerhall would result in almost a fifth more arts space than the current set up, the developers behind the scheme have claimed.
AMA said its proposals for the Edinburgh complex, which have been under community consultation until today, would see 17 per cent more space dedicated to arts, as well as housing, a hotel and retail facilities.
However, the company confirmed that current tenants of the building would have to move out during the redevelopment, due to the building work being unable to be completed in phases.
Sam Gough, director of Summerhall Arts, the charity behind year-round arts provision at the venue, said he had had conversations with the developers throughout the consultation period and said he believed “a lot had changed in two weeks”.
Summerhall Arts called for “repair not demolition” after the early stage plans were made public earlier this month and warned it has “not seen anything” that demonstrates that the developer understands the importance of the building to the arts sector.
Mr Gough said: “The sheer volume of response about how important Summerhall and its community is must have landed by now. There are thousands of people getting in contact. I think a lot has changed in the last two weeks.
“At this stage this is all we want to do is to put across the feedback. We’re in conversation with AMA about what we need to retain and those conversations are positive, but until we see [full] plans we don’t know exactly what they are.”
Mr Gough said he was concerned that studio space currently occupied by companies and individual artists is set to be demolished and questioned if the studios, which he said were key to Summerhall as an arts hub, would be replaced as part of the 17 per cent increase.
He said: “The important thing is to consider what they consider to be artistic spaces. Some of those companies and artists that work in those spaces - the musicians, the illustrators, the casting directors - their contribution to the to the arts is huge. And if AMA don't consider their offices to be artistic spaces, why not?
Under the initial proposals, key parts of the building including the Anatomy Lecture Theatre and Dissection Room and the Royal Dick Pub would be bulldozed - however it is understood they now could be retained as part of the wider building.
The first round of public consultation closed on Friday.
AMA said in a statement: “It is too early to confirm exactly how every part of the future Summerhall will be used. The options presented are intended to start a conversation and will help us understand what matters most to the public. We have deliberately not presented a fixed plan, as we want the proposals to develop in response to the feedback we receive.
“Our commitment to retaining an arts facility at Summerhall is firm. Our current thoughts and proposals would provide for at least 17 per cent more arts space than is currently available and used out of the buildings on site.”
It added: “The redevelopment cannot be delivered in phases for health and safety reasons, meaning the work will need to take place as one programme. We recognise this means existing occupiers will need to move out during the redevelopment, but it is a practical requirement of delivering a project of this size and nature safely.
“Our focus now is on listening to the feedback received, which will be carefully considered ahead of the second consultation event next month and as the plans develop. We remain committed to working with the public, the arts community and other stakeholders to shape a future for Summerhall where the arts continue to play a central role.”