World Heritage inspectors arrive in Edinburgh for two-day visit Published duration 13 October 2015

image copyright Jestico + Whiles image caption There are concerns over the impact of the new St James development on the skyline

A two-day visit by World Heritage status inspectors has begun in Edinburgh.

A series of meetings are being held with the three-strong team from the UK committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos).

They are then due to make site visits across the capital including to the St James Centre and the former Royal High School.

The buildings are sites of two controversial planning applications.

Plans to redevelop St James Centre have drawn strong criticism from conservation bodies, with some suggesting they could damage the capital's reputation as an internationally important example of architecture and planning.

'Walnut whip'

A new hotel planned for the site has been likened to a "walnut whip" or a "Mr Whippy" ice cream due to its spiralling metallic ribbon structure.

There is also concern about another planning application for a hotel.

The landmark Old Royal High School building on Calton Hill could be transformed into a luxury five- star hotel if permission is given to build two wings at the side of the existing buildings.

Ian Perry, Edinburgh city council planning convener, said: "Our Unesco World Heritage Status is something that the council is immensely proud of and we take our management role of it very seriously.

"The management plan that we are required to operate by Unesco in order to maintain this status is always considered during the planning process, and policies which protect properties within the world heritage area are included in the city's local plan.