UNESCO cultural advisers are poised to hold an investigation into building in Edinburgh's Old and New Town World Heritage Site status.

It follows reports the world heritage body has called for information on the impact of new developments amid claims that classic views of the city are being compromised.

It was claimed by the Scotsman that Unesco acted after an official report called for a “serious investigation” into the way the city’s Old and New Towns are being managed.

The UK and Scottish governments have been asked about the handling of the world heritage site following a warning from advisers, it has now been reported.

The Herald: Former Royal High SchoolFormer Royal High School

The city council was said to have been asked to explain its stewardship of the site.

Ian Perry, the council’s planning leader, was reported as saying: “The present and past planning committees have had a duty to maintain the world heritage site.

"However there is always a tension between the desire to develop within the site and the preservation of its architectural heritage. Clearly there are differing views about how this should be interpreted.

“It is the planning committee’s job to try to allow development to happen without damaging the built heritage of Edinburgh, which in the past has proven difficult and some of the developments have obviously been controversial.

"The present planning committee will now be looking at the management of the world heritage site and will review what has happened in the past.

"If we think there need to be changes we will then consult the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust.”

It was reported in October a probe could be set up.

That came after a two-day visit by investigators which was prompted by concerns over developments including plans to turn the former Royal High School, pictured above, into a £75m luxury hotel and the £850m St James Centre development, below.

The Herald: St James developmentSt James development

The UK national committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which has a special role as official adviser to Unesco, criticised the planning culture in the city.

The advisers said: "Evidence of the potentially negative impacts of cumulative new developments is becoming increasingly apparent."