Edinburgh council are installing new spikey railing to deter the homeless in Charlotte Square building of ‘national importance.’
The City of Edinburgh Council granted permission to Ms Beatrice Bryant for the proposal on Thursday October 21 to create railings and a new ceramic tiled floor.
The A-listed West Register House on Charlotte Square is used by the National Records of Scotland and owned by Edinburgh council but they decided to create new metal railings along the front fence to stop homeless people from sleeping there.
They complain that in recent years there has been a history of rough sleeping, vandalism and urination in various door recesses and around the perimeter of the West Register House building.
On the planning application it says the National Records of Scotland Scotland are concerned that the building could be detrimentally affected by this pattern of public behaviour.
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A spokesperson said maintaining the building is crucial and of “national importance.”
They explained: “It is generally accepted that the best way of ensuring the preservation of an important historical site is through continuing use. Maintaining and enhancing the quality of the economic balance and social fabric of the historic environment is vital.
“It links us to our roots and it needs to be passed onto future generations in good order such that they can fully understand and enjoy the place.”
They continued: “The building is of national importance and considerable significance. This level of significance still permits a level of intervention and change to the building where necessary. The changes that we propose to make are largely to provide additional security to the building and the occupants and to replace some of the unsympathetic work that was carried out in the 1960’s alterations.”
The building is category A listed reflecting its’ regional importance as well as its local interest. It was designed by Robert Reid in 1811 as St.George’s Church based on a design by Robert Adam but with significant modifications.
With church congregations falling in the 1960’s, it was acquired by the Government and converted into the Scottish Records Office. The building is currently owned by the City of Edinburgh Council and occupied by the National Records of Scotland on a 100 year lease.
