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United Distillers Edinburgh

Scottish + Newcastle Building, Ellersly Rd, Edinburgh – design by RMJM, Architects

2 Oct 2009

United Distillers

Archial Wins Planning Consent for £35m Residential Development in Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Archial Architects, one of the largest architecture practices in Scotland and the UK, has won planning consent from City of Edinburgh Council for its proposal to replace the now obsolete Balfour Stewart House office building in Murrayfield with a new £35 million residential development.

The Rumney Manor development will respect the characteristics of the conservation area and retain important features, such as the high stone wall surrounding the site and mature trees within the site.

The development, which remains subject to conservation area approval from Scottish Ministers, will consist of 72 homes, comprising 16 duplex apartments and 56 flats. There will be 22 family homes and 18 affordable dwellings and of the 125 car parking spaces provided across the site, all but seven will be underground.

Speaking in support of the proposals at the Planning Committee meeting, local Conservative Councillor, Cllr Jeremy Balfour said, “I am delighted that the Rumney Manor redevelopment proposals for Balfour Stewart House were approved by the Planning Committee.

“Throughout the whole process, Rumney Manor and Archial Architects have consistently consulted with the local community and responded promptly to all concerns and questions raised by constituents. I am particularly impressed with the developer’s commitment to sustainability and the high quality of open space amenity which the development will enjoy.”

Cameron Walker, director at Archial Architects, said, “The design solution for the site demonstrates an understanding of the location and its relationship with the adjacent and wider area.

“The layout of the site, meanwhile, balances the level of development against the need to retain mature trees, the high stone wall, an understanding of the site’s topography and conservation area characteristics and accessibility to public transport. The site’s appearance responds to the conservation area and adds to the characteristic of houses responding to their individual setting.

“Mature trees as a focus for open space within the development. The area of designed landscape in the south east of the site will be retained. This reflects the former usage of the site as a flagship office building and will add character to the landscape surrounding the new residential development.”

The Archial Group Plc employs 170 staff in Scotland, operating from offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness.

United Distillers Redevelopment
Comment: Where is Scottish Architecture going? Long gone are the optimistic days of the nineties when Lottery funding was providing opportunities for good solid buildings. In recent months we’ve seen big problems at The Lighthouse and even the RIAS has removed its (albeit small) exhibition space. And the credit crunch has postponed or killed off major projects of course. But even in a recession we should be able to follow a basic rule: only replace buildings with better buildings.

Scottish & Newcastle Offices

photos © Alastair Cook 2007
Highly controversial move to demolish brilliant RMJM-designed former S+N Headquarters

United Distillers Redevelopment News Update
Rumney Manor Ltd resubmitted plans by Archial Architects for demolition of existing offices & erection of 80 flats at 33 Ellersly Road, West Murrayfield, Edinburgh.

33 Ellersly Road – Balfour Stewart House
Date built: 1981
Robert Matthew, Johnson-Marshall and Partners

Location: West Murrayfield Conservation Area

S+N: Edinburgh Building Links

United Distillers Edinburgh : Outrage – Demolition

photo © Adrian Welch from 20 Feb 2010