Heritage watchdog Historic Scotland has warned that the planned regeneration of Leith Docks could threaten Edinburgh’s historic skyline.

In a letter to the city council, Historic Scotland voices its concerns over plans to include tall buildings within the mixed-use scheme.

The plans – the biggest planning application ever to come before the local authority – were handed in last year and a decision is expected by the end of this year.

The £700m plans set out the future of Leith Docks and surrounding areas – totalling 170 hectares – for the next 30 years.

Proposals include a wide range of leisure and commercial facilities as well as 16,000 new homes.

Plans include new parks, public spaces and areas for events and festivals as well as 35 hectares of new open spaces, public walkways and civic spaces.

There will also be an extensive network of footpaths and cycle routes and a cultural quarter featuring a concert hall or theatre.