National Grid turns up heat for Granton gas holder deal

The listed building was subject to a Scottish Government inquiry last month, which agreed with the council that it should not be demolished.

But National Grid, which owns the structure, is said to be looking at using Land Compensation legislation to force the state to buy the gas holder and become liable for the £5 million bill to stabilise and maintain it.

It says no viable plans have been put forward for its reuse and wants to remove it and start work on decontaminating the site for future development.

John Brown, of property agent DTZ, said: “In my 12 years representing National Grid at Granton, there has been no interest from the market other than wild suggestions as to theoretical uses uninhibited by economic reality.

“Anyone can dream up a thought such as a running track or arena, but none have achieved a practical solution which addresses the decontamination/structural management and maintenance costs.”