Edinburgh's cherished status as a World Heritage Site is safe, according to the Council's deputy leader.  Steve Cardownie's claim follows the news that UNESCO is to investigate why it was not consulted over a controversial city centre development.  If the Capital is found to have breached UNESCO's rules, it could be stripped of its coveted title.  

It is one of the most controversial developments Edinburgh has ever seen and now the Caltongate project beside Waverley Station has placed the Capital's UNESCO World Heritage Status under threat.  Earlier this year councillors voted through the proposals, despite almost 2,000 objections to the scheme which will see a 5 star hotel, shops, offices and new homes built in the heart of the Old Town. 

Now UNESCO has added its voice to the debate, demanding to know why it was not informed.  Heritage groups say the intervention is significant.  Adam Wilkinson, director of Edinburgh World Heritage, said: "I think it's unlikely that Edinburgh will lose its World Heritage Status, but what this visit does do is flag up some of the issues and come up with some solutions to the developmental problems Edinburgh faces." 

Councillors have also been criticised for voting through a 17 storey hotel at Haymarket, whilst Historic Scotland is opposed to the plans for the St James Centre and Leith Docks, but the council insists they are being even handed.  

Councillor Steve Cardownie from Edinburgh City Council said: "We are custodians of this City and we take very seriously the fact we have this status, and we don't want to do anything that jeopardises that.  We feel we have nothing to fear from an inspection and we look forward to the arrival of the inspectors." 

Edinburgh is not the only city currently under investigation by UNESCO - Liverpool, London and Dresden have also been asked to explain recent controversial developments like Caltongate, but having stripped World Heritage Status from a city in Oman, UNESCO has has shown itself capable of more than issusing empty threats.  For a city like Edinburgh which relies so heavily on tourism and the beauty of its buildings, that must be a concern.