Council chiefs in Edinburgh have vowed to press ahead with a controversial £25 million revamp of Princes Street Gardens after the departure of its figurehead – insisting the city will only be able to afford “patchwork” improvements to the park in future without the help of private finance.

Culture chiefs have warned the city faces being left with a run-down Ross Bandstand which is “no longer fit for purpose” and a garden which effectively excludes “untold numbers” of residents and visitors due to poor access from Princes Street.

They insist they will never “sell off” any part of West Princes Street Gardens, which developer Norman Springford hoped to transform, or agree corporate sponsorship deals which “impact negatively” on the park.

Edinburgh councillors to press ahead with £25m overhaul of Princes Street Gardens