The building firm behind the redevelopment of arts centre and Edinburgh Festival Fringe venue Summerhall plans to demolish some buildings on the site to make way to create a mixed use development which would include a hotel and retail facilities as well as a venue space.

In a pre-application document filed with the City of Edinburgh Council ahead of a community consultation meeting after this week, AMA (New Town) Limited said the proposals would include the “partial selective demolition of existing buildings”.

According to the documents, which do not constitute an application - but instead are a formal notification that a developer submits at least 12 weeks before filing a planning application to allow community consultation - the site would also retain an arts and cultural centre, commercial office space and co-living and student residences.

It is not clear which existing buildings would be likely to be demolished under the plans, which are being created with Kettle Collective architects and are due to be submitted at the start of next year.

According to an artist's impression of the proposals submitted by AMA, the main buildings which appear to be missing are the residents' studios at the rear of the site.

The original facade of the building and the 1960s tower are listed.

The drawings also appear to show significant changes to the parts of the buildings which include the existing pub and the anatomy lecture theatre and dissection room.

Sam Gough, chief executive of Summerhall Arts, a charity which which runs cultural events at the venue and which has a lease on the site until 2028, said his organisation would work to retain sustainable arts provision on the site.

Summerhall, which was built between 1909 and 1916, was previously a brewery before being acquired for the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

Mr Gough urged “anyone who has enjoyed Summerhall” to attend the consultation.

He said: “I am looking forward to seeing what these plans are, but for me, the priority is that there is arts provision retained at the site and that Summerhall Arts are there to provide this. Also that whatever arts provision is left in this building is run in an affordable way that allows us to stay in this location.”

He added: “We are certainly not going to sit back and accept what happens, we are going to make sure our voices are heard for the future of the arts and year round provision in Edinburgh.”

In a statement, AMA said it wanted to “retain the site’s cultural role while bringing new activity and investment to the wider complex”, warning that the site “faces significant financial and physical challenges, and needs substantial investment to secure its long-term future”.

AMA it added it “hopes” the existing arts management team would be retained.

Dr Ali Afshar, co-founder and managing director of AMA, said: “Summerhall is an important part of Edinburgh’s cultural life. We know how much it means to the people who work here, visit and live nearby. We also know that significant investment is needed to address the challenges facing its buildings and secure its future.

“Our vision for an Arts Quarter builds on what makes Summerhall special. Art and culture will remain at its heart, alongside sensitive work to its heritage buildings, better access through the site and a mix of uses that can support it for the long term.

“Summerhall’s character comes from the many different chapters of its history. We want to respect that history while making the site more welcoming and accessible. This consultation is a chance for people to tell us what matters to them, and their feedback will help inform the proposals before we submit a planning application at the start of 2027.”

The application lists the “partial selective demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of the site for mixed use development comprising an arts centre cultural, community and venue spaces”, as well as “commercial leisure and food/drink, small retail”, “commercial business space for employment/office space”, “hotel/leisure visitor accommodation and venue spaces” and “residential accommodation in a blend of co-living, student and apartments”.

The company told The Scotsman last year that residential space would be a key part of the redevelopment. At the time, AMA also reiterated its commitment for a “facility to sustainably continue the provision of the arts” at Summerhall.

The first public meeting for residents to meet developers and learn about the plans is being held at Summerhall on Wednesday, 7 October, between 3pm and 7.30pm.