(Image: Cat Thomson Photography)
Summerhall developers must “guarantee” the retention of a prominent arts space and agree “long-term affordable arrangements” with current tenants at the culture hub, an Edinburgh councillor has said.
SNP culture spokesperson Finlay McFarlane has written to AMA managing director Dr Ali Afshar asking him to outline how much of the site’s “arts and creative floorspace” would be retained.
Dr Afshar’s company aims to turn part of the arts and culture complex into a hotel and flats.
Councillor McFarlane wrote: “Anything less than a guarantee of AMA's stated commitment to an ‘Arts Quarter’ is unacceptable.
“This means maximising space allocation for the sustainable operation of Summerhall Arts and crucially for much more of the site to be given over to businesses and studios than it appears presently features within your plans.
Councillor Finlay McFarlane. (Image: Supplied)
“The arts provision should be delivered alongside if not ahead of residential and other commercial elements to address the concern of residents and artists as to what happens when construction phasing commitments are relaxed.”
Speaking to The Herald last week, Dr Afshar repeated his commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for Summerhall.
He said: “ I know how it works and I know how difficult it is to make it work and I’d like to make sure that it's a better place than it is today.
“And hopefully, the people that will use it will be similar to what they are now, but nobody can guarantee that.”
“In order to pay for the art facility, you need to generate money from somewhere else,” Dr Afshar said of plans to make parts of Summerhall suitable for commercial use.
“And then hopefully, if you put the right uses into what you produce, that will help to make this a place where people visit, stay, and look at art.
Councillor McFarlane also asked Dr Afshar to ensure current tenants are able to return to Summerhall once redevelopment work is completed.
He wrote: “Many current tenants, including studios, makers and charities pay modest rents and fear they will be priced out or displaced.
“Whilst not a material planning concern, fears could be allayed by early deep engagement with this important community within Summerhall to agree long-term affordable arrangements will be offered to them ahead of commencing the formal planning application process.”
Dr Ali Afshar, managing director of AMA Limited. (Image: Supplied)
However, Dr Afshar told The Herald that he is not be able to guarantee if current tenants will be able to return.
“I learned quite a lot talking to all these people and I was quite distressed that a large proportion of them may not be able to afford to go back to Summerhall,” he said of a meeting with tenants earlier this month.
“I was asked questions like, ‘How can you guarantee I can come back? And can I afford to come back?”
“I felt sorry for those young artists that will want to be there and may not be able to afford to be there.”
Finally, Councillor McFarlane asked Dr Afshar to remove Option 4 from the plan, which proposes to convert most of the complex into purpose-built student accommodation.
The Herald understands that this option was a late addition following discussions with council officers, and that AMA’s vision for the site focuses on commercial, rather than residential, uses.
Read more:
- 'I feel for them': Summerhall developer says some artists may be priced out of venue
- 'There has to be financial value': Meet the men shaping the future of Summerhall
- Summerhall Arts chief urges developers to ‘repair, not demolish’ much-loved arts hub
Councillor McFarlane wrote: “AMA has the real opportunity to play a key role in the long-term sustainability of this important creative infrastructure.
“You have only to look at the precedent and example taken forwards by Caledonian Heritable who themselves were able to safeguard a historic building and secure the long-term sustainability of the Filmhouse as a place for cultural cinema.
“I would welcome the opportunity to meet you before your planning application is submitted,” the SNP councillor concluded.
The Herald understands that a meeting between Dr Afshar and Councillor McFarlane will be arranged.
The ongoing public consultation, which will run until October 23, is designed to help AMA tighten its proposals prior to submitting an official planning application to the council in early 2027.
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