The Odeon cinema building in Clerk Street, Edinburgh, may be saved from demolition proposals.

Scottish Ministers will now decide the fate of the Category B listed Art Deco building after a review commissioned by Historic Scotland stated that the demolition of the building was "not justified".

Edinburgh City Council had passed a proposal submitted by the current owner of the site, Duddingston House Properties, to tear down the building which has been vacant since its closure in 2003.


Michael Russell, Culture Minister, in a statement said: "The application concerning the Odeon on Clerk Street has attracted a lot of attention, from both those who would like to see its auditorium retained and those who believe it should be adapted for a new use.

"The last thing I would want to see is for this process to go on indefinitely, but this is a complex case and it is important that all aspects of the application are fully and independently considered to determine the best way forward. It is for that reason I have called in this application for decision by Scottish Ministers.

"A wide range of factors will have to be taken into account, including the current economic climate, but I am sure we can resolve the matter as quickly as possible, without compromising the scrutiny that these applications deserve."

(GK/JM)