Raging Edinburgh locals have criticised a popup Christmas bar in the New Town.
A local historic and conservation society has slammed Tonic Edinburgh’s elaborate winter ski lodge extension - as the City of Edinburgh Council considers a planning application for the timber structure on North Castle Street.
“[You can see our comments] in their identical application last year, which was refused planning and listed building consent and was subject to enforcement action,” the Edinburgh Cockburn Association stated.
“It is rather extraordinary that with this recent planning history, they have re-erected it without planning or listed building consent again. We have reported this as a formal breach of planning control to the local council, who we suspect will take similar action as before.”
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Despite these objections and accusations, Tonic Edinburgh said the “Apres Tonic installation” is now back for its third year. “It's extremely popular every festive season,” the company said.
“Customers have been excitedly contacting us for weeks now asking if and when it will be back, and we're over the moon to officially open it [Friday night.]
“The ski chalet design fits in with the temporary installations on George Street such as the pop-up bars alongside the Ice Rink, keeping Edinburgh's Christmas theme alive. We're looking forward to another busy festive period and hope, during these tough times, we can keep bringing a smile to our customers' faces.”
On Wednesday, the Cockburn Association Tweeted photos of the grotto construction at 34 North Castle Street. The timber structure of the grotto is seen going up in front of the historic facade of the building.
“We have alerted [Edinburgh Council] to a potentially unauthorised alteration to a listed building at 34a North Castle Street involving the erection of a timber chalet structure,” the association tweeted.
Tonic Edinburgh submitted a planning application for the grotto last November, which was previously refused by the council as the grotto did not regard the preservation of the character of the building, and would “affect the character and appearance of the conservation area.”
A spokesperson for the council said the owners have submitted a planning application for the period of 2022 Christmas and New Year season. The newest application is currently being checked, and once it is validated, the proposal will be processed.
They also confirmed that planning officers have received enquiries regarding the property and they are currently investigating.
The building where the controversial grotto has been built is listed as a Category B building, which means it has been designated architectural or historic importance.
“It sits within the New Town Conservation Area as well as within the World Heritage Site,” the Cockburn Association explained.
“The New Town is noted as one of the finest examples of neo-classical town planning in the world. It’s important!”
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