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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Iuliia Vlasova

Plans for Edinburgh Omni Centre to get outdoor terrace and street food hall

An Edinburgh entertainment hotspot has submitted a revised planning application for a new outdoor food hall and seating area following the withdrawal of their previous plans.

Bosses at the Omni Centre, located on Greenside Row, withdrew previous planning application to the City of Edinburgh Council on April 2022, as it was advised for refusal.

Proposing a new external dining area with ample greenery, ten tempting food vendors and two bars, the centre bosses faced extensive critique from the planning officers.

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Expressing their concerns, the officers said: "The street affords significant views to Calton Hill from Leith Street/Greenside Place and also creates a planned area of the public realm.

"The proposal, albeit a low-level structure, would intrude into this space and, by virtue of its form and design, would constitute an unsympathetic and disjointed addition to the street. It would diminish the appreciation of the space between the two buildings and would create an unwelcome distraction from the views to and from Calton Hill."

Adding to the previous point, the planning officers have also voiced apprehension that the proposed development would "fail to contribute positively to the historic environment".

Now, the applicants have adjusted their proposal and filed a new entry with the council, intending to "re-fit the currently unoccupied units 6 & 7 at Omni Centre to provide a flexible street-hall-type food market".

Drawing inspiration from the Bonnie and Wild food hall at the St James Quarter, Edinburgh Street Food hopes to create a vibrant and colourful environment for people to enjoy each other's company and mouthwatering street food and drinks.

Interior plans have included the use of bright neon signs, as well as decor to suit the culture and nationality of each street food vendor.

Outdoors, the back of the Omni Centre would be transformed into an open dining terrace with covered canopies and bright furniture.

Featuring natural materials, artworks and lighting displays, the area will become a desirable destination for the locals looking to take a relaxing break in the city centre.

The current application is currently awaiting an assessment from the council's planning committee, and you can voice your opinion regarding the case here.

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