Two abandoned Edinburgh Second World War gun forts at Granton Harbour are to be demolished.
Edinburgh Council planners passed the decision on Monday, February 7, and the concrete structures will now be removed.
The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) objected to the move and said it would damage the history of the harbour.
The eastern breakwater was first built in 1840 to 1850, at a length of 3170ft, and the two boxes were built around 1925 to 1950. The breakwater itself was B-listed in 1998.
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A spokesperson for AHSS said: “The two concrete structures which are proposed for demolition were constructed as pillboxes during WW2 to defend against an enemy landing at the harbour.
“This forms a significant stage in the history of the harbour and the loss of these structures would have a detrimental impact on the historic interest of the breakwater. This is contrary to Edinburgh Council Guidance for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas”
While the AHSS believes the structures were used during the Second World War, a section in the planning application's handling report disputes the claim.
A planning officer comments: “AHSS objected on the grounds that the structures were WW2 defences: pillboxes protecting the harbour. There is no evidence to support this, either in appearance or in date of the structures.
“Both appear to be shelters or stores associated to the function as a harbour. Neither date from WW2. Both structures appear to be unaltered since construction and were not converted from 'pillboxes'. Both stand on lightweight steel legs which would not accord with any fortification theory.”
The eastern and western breakwaters were formed in the 19th century as the Granton Pier became one of Edinburgh’s workshops.
The Royal Navy did in fact commandeer Granton Harbour throughout both World Wars, and the local gas works station in Granton was attacked by the Nazis, so there may be come truth to the claims made by the AHSS.
Today, the harbour is vibrant once again but it’s mercantile past is long gone and in its place is the residential developments that have started all across the area, as Granton moves to a new future.
The ‘gun defences’ are expected to be removed from the shorelines in the near future.
