An old Edinburgh office block could be bulldozed and replaced with plush apartments and shops.
The Scottish Government registered an appeal from the developers Dundas Limited last week after the City of Edinburgh Council rejected their initial proposal.
Dundas want to demolish the old Centrum House offices on Dundas Street and to then create 50 luxury new apartments and three retail units.
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Edinburgh council rejected the plans last year in October and told the developer it would have an “adverse impact” on the local area.
Rejecting the proposal, a council spokesperson said: “The proposed development fails to deliver a positive impact on its setting by way of its design, footprint and street relationship.
"The proposed development would have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and the setting of adjacent listed buildings.”
The luxury apartments are suitable for young professionals and the block will contain only one and two bedroom units.
In total there will be fifty new flats, and the three new retail units and the old Centrum House will be partially demolished to make way for the new build.
There were over 50 objections from local residents to Edinburgh council on the original planning application, before it went to the Scottish Government for appeal.
One said: “These buildings should be renovated not demolished and the existing building lines maintained.
“Demolition of 30 year old buildings to be replaced by new build with a larger footprint in an already high density environment goes against all green policies that the Council should be encouraging. There is no justification for this project other than financial profit for the developer. Please help us improve the environment not make it worse.”
Another added: “I do not believe the proposed height and new building line are sympathetic to the existing buildings on the same side of Fettes Row. I would ask this is revised and the height and building lines are brought back to that of the existing building.
“I object to the creation of new retail space. The existing building does not include retail space.
“There are existing retail spaces from 120 Dundas Street onward, some of which have sat empty for some years so adding units to this area does not appear to be necessary.”
The Scottish Government will now consult with Edinburgh council and the developers before coming to a decision.
