LONDON 2012’s controversial application to temporarily place 8m-high (26ft) Olympic rings on the north-western rampart of Edinburgh Castle has been denied.

A Historic Scotland representative confirmed that this was due to plans not being “suitable for the successful operation” of the castle. London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) submitted a planning and advertising application to the City of Edinburgh Council on Monday 7th November.

A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said, “Edinburgh Castle is a spectacular, iconic building, and will provide a fantastic backdrop for the rings, not to mention provide a focal point for games-related activities.”

The plans had, however, drawn largely negative reactions.

Edinburgh Labour MP, Mark Lazarowicz, expressed concern that allowing the Olympic rings to go up “could become a precedent for other publicity campaigns wanting to use such a prestigious site.”

Historic Scotland did suggest that “there are more suitable sites in Edinburgh” and that “the Scottish government and agencies will work with LOCOG and Edinburgh City Council to do what we can to assist with the consideration of alternatives.”

Organisers had hoped that the display of the rings in Edinburgh would reflect the inclusiveness of the Olympics.

Numerous political leaders have described this as “insulting” and Marion Williams, director of Edinburgh’s civic body, the Cockburn Association, described the application as “London stamping its mark on Edinburgh.”

Fraser Adamson, Chairman of the Edinburgh University Athletics Club, told The Student, “The media has put it across as the London Olympics…I support the Olympics but it’s in England and nothing to do with Scotland.”

There have been concerns regarding more than just their location, placing the Olympic rings would have cost taxpayers £200,000.

Deputy council leader, Steve Cardownie, said, “This is an extraordinary amount of money to be spent on a temporary sign, andI would prefer to see the funds involved be donated to local sports organisations who would make much better use of this cash.”

Margot MacDonald, an Independent Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Lothians regions has complained that the Lothians will receive no financial benefit from the Olympic games and suggested that prioritising the Olympic rings display demonstrated LOCOG’s lack of ‘real interest in community participation in sport.’

Despite these concerns, LOCOG is continuing to look for suitable locations in Scotland at which the Olympic rings could be displayed.