Planners back Edinburgh concert hall

Proposals for Edinburgh’s first purpose-built music venue in over a century have been recommended for approval.Planned to be situated behind the Royal Bank of Scotland’s historic home on St Andrew Square, The IMPACT Centre was given the green light by planner officers ahead of the City of Edinburgh Council’s development management sub-committee’s final decision next week.If approved, the 1000-seat auditorium will create a major new venue for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Edinburgh International Festival.David Chipperfield Architects’ plans will also include a 200-seat studio for performances, rehearsals and recordings as well as rooms for education and conferences, while an open foyer will host music performances and a cafe bar.The committee will hear from a number of interested parties when it meets on April 24.Richard Price from New Town and Broughton Community Council, Adam Wilkinson from Edinburgh World Heritage Trust and Terry Levinthal from heritage watchdog, the Cockburn Association will give presentations, while Impact Scotland will also have a chance to give its input.The owners of the new St James Centre, which is currently under construction, have also raised fears over traffic and deliveries.