A NEW 16-storey leaf-shaped hotel designed by award-winning architect Richard Murphy has been slammed by a Scottish Government watchdog.

A report by the Architecture and Design Scotland (ADS) quango highlights concerns about the design and location of the building earmarked for the former Morrison Street goods yard.

An assessment by the group also questions whether the development is of high enough quality for such a high-profile site.

The five-star hotel is the centrepiece of a £200 million redevelopment of the site, to be know as "The Haymarket", which also includes proposals for a Travelodge hotel and office blocks.

The News revealed the first images of the proposed glass and stone structure in September, when concerns were raised by heritage and community groups.

But developer Tiger today insisted the hotel would prove to be a landmark building which would "redefine Haymarket".

The firm's managing director John Nesbitt said:
"There has been a positive reaction to the proposals for The Haymarket and Tiger Developments continues to devote significant time and energy in listening to the local community and other key groups."

He added that Tiger was in "continuing dialogue" with ADS.

The ADS report concluded: "We still have substantial concerns about the design and location of the landmark tower, and do not think the approach that is currently being taken will deliver the scale and quality of space required to establish The Haymarket as a successful urban place.

"The city needs to demonstrate much stronger leadership, co-ordinate the various initiatives in the area, and guide the development of the Haymarket as a world class urban place and western gateway to Edinburgh."

A spokeswoman for the Cockburn Association said: "Our thinking is along the same lines as ADS and we have objected to the design of the five-star hotel."

The city council's development company EDI had drawn up plans for the site including a shopping arcade, offices and bars but was forced to sell the site to Tiger to finance an equal pay settlement.

Tiger has now submitted its own revised plans, elements of which were praised by ADS as an improvement on the EDI plans.

Gordon Wyllie, chairman of West End Community Council, said: "It is encouraging that an independent assessment has shown how ghastly a plan it is."

Subject to planning permission, work is expected to get under way in the middle of next year and take around four years.