THE BRIEF

Supporting planning approval for a landmark city centre hotel development

Orbit Communications was appointed to deliver stakeholder and community engagement for proposals to transform a vacant office building on Morrison Street in Edinburgh into a high-quality 256-bedroom hotel with a bar, restaurant and associated facilities.

Developed by MRP Morrison Street Ltd, the hotel will be operated by the Dalata Hotel Group under the Clayton Hotel brand.

Situated in a prominent city centre location, this was a highly sensitive location. The proposals sought to bring a long-vacant building back into productive use while supporting Edinburgh’s visitor economy through the creation of high-quality accommodation and hospitality facilities.

Our Approach

  • Developed and delivered a targeted stakeholder engagement and communications strategy, including key messaging and Q&As.
  • Designed and managed a dedicated consultation website, providing access to the proposals and online feedback.
  • Engaged proactively with local councillors, community representatives and other key stakeholders throughout the consultation process.  This included the heritage body, the Cockburn Association, and the local community council.
  • Organised and promoted a voluntary, non-statutory public consultation event, allowing local residents, businesses and stakeholders to engage with the project at an early stage.
  • Produced clear, accessible consultation materials, communicating the benefits of the redevelopment and responding to feedback received.
  • Worked closely with the wider consultant team to ensure consultation outcomes were reflected in the planning submission.

Outputs & Outcomes

  • Successfully engaged local residents, businesses and elected representatives ahead of the planning application. This resulted in no objection from the community council, a key consultee, as well as the Cockburn Association.
  • Delivered a transparent and proactive programme of consultation that generated only a small number of objections.
  • As a result, the application was determined under delegated powers, avoiding referral to the Development Management Sub-Committee and streamlining the decision-making process.