Artists have stepped up calls to protect Edinburgh’s Summerhall as controversial plans to redevelop the landmark arts complex move forward.
A packed emergency meeting was held at Summerhall on Sunday amid growing concern over the future of arts spaces across the capital.
It comes as developer AMA (New Town) Limited prepares plans for a major redevelopment of Summerhall which could include the selective demolition of existing buildings alongside the introduction of a hotel, student accommodation, co-living apartments, other homes and commercial space.
An arts centre, cultural and community venues, restaurants, shops and workspaces would also form part of the proposed development.
The proposals remain at an early stage and a full planning application has not yet been submitted. It is currently expected to go before City of Edinburgh Council in early 2027.
Summerhall occupies the former Royal Dick Veterinary College near the Meadows and has developed into one of Edinburgh’s best-known independent arts venues.
The complex is home to artists, studios, performance spaces, exhibitions and businesses and is a major venue during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Concerns have focused on the potential loss of some of the distinctive spaces within the sprawling site.
Summerhall Arts, the charity which operates the arts venue, has called for a “repair, not demolish” approach.
Chief executive Sam Gough said: “Our message is ‘repair, not demolish’. Edinburgh’s name as the world’s festival city rests partly on places like Summerhall.”
Among spaces identified by the organisation as potentially facing demolition are the Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Dissection Room, Tech Cube 0 and the Royal Dick pub.
AMA says arts and culture will remain at the heart of its plans and argues substantial investment is required to secure the future of the ageing complex.
The developer is exploring four potential development options, with the final mix of uses and design still to be decided.
The emerging proposals include retaining and adapting historic buildings, creating new pedestrian routes through Summerhall and improving public spaces.
The Cockburn Association has welcomed the principle of retaining an arts-led development but warned that cultural uses should not become secondary to hotels, residential development and other commercial activity.
The debate intensified on Sunday when artists and cultural organisations packed Summerhall’s Main Hall for an emergency meeting organised with MSP Q Manivannan.
The meeting also addressed threats facing St Margaret’s House and cuts at Edinburgh College of Art.
Manivannan told the meeting that Edinburgh’s cultural sector was facing a crisis, warning that hundreds of artists and organisations could be left looking for new premises.
They called for the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council to take the threat to creative spaces seriously.
The Summerhall proposals are due to come before Edinburgh council’s Development Management Sub-Committee on Wednesday (4 November) as part of the pre-application process.
Councillors will consider issues surrounding the proposed redevelopment before a detailed application is drawn up.
A second public consultation event is provisionally planned for 11 November, with revised proposals expected to be presented following feedback from the first stage.
The final consultation deadline is scheduled for 27 November before the scheme is refined ahead of a planning application expected early next year.