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Netflix bid for One Day plaque in Edinburgh rejected

Netflix The red sign with One Day in large white letters and a quote is attached to a historic wall on the right hand side of the picture. There are stone steps rising up into the distance. There are people walking up the steps in dark clothing.Netflix
The sign was attached to the proposed wall in The Vennel in Edinburgh on 15 July - it has now been removed

A bid by Netflix to fit a plaque marking hit TV series One Day at a historic Edinburgh landmark has been thrown out by city planners.

The streaming service wanted a red plaque with a quote from the show erected in The Vennel Steps, where its lead characters have a key scene.

It had applied to City of Edinburgh Council, for planning permission as the sign would be secured to the wall of a listed building, built in 1910.

A heritage watchdog condemned the proposal as a "simple exercise in product marketing" and the council has now refused permission on heritage grounds.

The sign was proposed for the bottom of the steps, opposite the 16th Century Flodden Wall - which once marked the perimeter of Edinburgh.

David Givan, City of Edinburgh Council’s chief planning officer said the application received 38 objections.

“The proposal fails to have special regard to the desirability of preserving the character of the building and would adversely impact on its special architectural and historic interest," he said.

“The proposal represents an inappropriate and low quality addition to the listed building, failing to meet the statutory requirement of retaining its character. It would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area.”

Ludovic Robert/Netflix A young man in a white shirt - Dexter - holds the face of a young woman in a yellow top - Emma. They are staring into each other eyes, and standing in front of a distinctive Edinburgh backdrop.Ludovic Robert/Netflix
The series follows the lives of Emma and Dexter, played by Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall

The quote on the proposed sign reads: "It's one of the great cosmic mysteries. How someone can go from being a total stranger to the most important person in your life."

Last month Tery Levinthal, the director of the Cockburn Association, spoke out against the proposal.

He said: "If every production or every connection with a novel or film or TV series did the same, one wouldn't be able to see parts of the city due to the proliferation of plaques."

One Day, based on the book by David Nicholls, follows the lives of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew on St Swinthin's Day - 15 July - every year.

They meet at their Edinburgh University graduation ball in 1988 and have a failed one-night stand.

The series explores the couple's relationship as they grow up, move apart and together, and experience joy and heartbreak.

One memorable scene in Edinburgh was filmed on The Vennel Steps, a historic staircase that runs from The Grassmarket along the boundary of George Heriot's School.

At the top of the steps is a famous view of Edinburgh Castle.