Blaze community 'should have a say'

Several buildings were gutted by the blaze

Local people should have their say in the redevelopment of Edinburgh's fire-ravaged Old Town, according to the first minister.

Jack McConnell told the Scottish Parliament that it was "very, very important" that the community was consulted over the area's future.

More than a dozen buildings were destroyed or damaged in the blaze which swept through part of the World Heritage Site on Saturday evening.

Fire ravages historic city centre
Click here to see pictures of the area

Demolition work is currently taking place in the Cowgate area and the emergency services are investigating the cause of the blaze.

It is estimated that the cost of the damage will run into millions of pounds.

The blaze was raised in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday during first minister's questions.

Edinburgh Central MSP Sarah Boyack urged Mr McConnell to support her call for the local community to be consulted about proposals for the future of the area.

He told her: "I would also think it would be very, very important that the community in the Old Town had the opportunity to participate in that process."

The Heritage Trust and the council will need to determine jointly whether any additional financial assistance from public funds would be appropriate

First Minister jack McConnell

Mr McConnell said he hoped that as much support as possible could be given to the local community.

He said discussions were taking place over how much the executive would contribute to the Old Town's regeneration.

"The executive will be involved in the appropriate way, which is through the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust programme we jointly fund with the City of Edinburgh Council," he told MSPs.

"The Heritage Trust and the council will need to determine jointly whether any additional financial assistance from public funds would be appropriate in this case."

Mr McConnell also paid tribute to the efforts of the firefighters who tackled the blaze.

Economic impact

"Without their expertise the outcome would have been much worse that it was," he said.

The first minister also told the parliament that 11 properties had been destroyed in the blaze and a further six were damaged.

Edinburgh City Council has agreed to study the economic impact of the fire before approving any redevelopment of the area.

Demolition work is now under way

A motion approved at a meeting of the full council on Thursday called for a report on the effect of the blaze on shops and other businesses.

A council spokeswoman said: "The further reports will go for further council meetings and then will be voted on, possibly in January or February.

"Decisions on future developments will be made after that."

The council has agreed to look at whether it can help the Gilded Balloon comedy venue find a new home in time for next year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

It will also examine whether it can offer assistance to Edinburgh University's School of Informatics, which lost rare documents, research work and equipment was destroyed.