Hi folks,
The urban detectives have been busy over the new year and uncovered a bit of hidden history: namely Granton Castle’s ancient monument files from 1920, which were ‘sealed’ for 50 years by the mysterious Ministry of Works (writes Kirsty Sutherland)!
It appears that there was a muddle over the paperwork being sent to the wrong address and the castle demolition had begun before this was noticed in 1921 … A good few people wrote to the Scotsman at the time trying to stop the demolition of the medieval castle. SS Johnston a local architect, originally from Orkney, wrote a poignant letter in 1922 (see below) trying to save a little bit of paradise: deja vu!
So why is this important now?
This ‘sealed’ information contained in the files we found was unknown to Historic Environment Scotland when they reviewed the listing of the walled garden last year. Nationally important ancient monument status would give a lot more protection from a housing development by a company like Waterfront Edinburgh Limited.
From a planning perspective this latest finding has been passed to the government reporter currently examining Edinburgh’s Local Development Plan & we hope will give more strength to our request to have the garden protected as a candidate Special Landscape Area.
We can but hope that common sense prevails and history doesn’t repeat itself with the oldest walled garden in Edinburgh finally destroyed!
The crux of the matter still appears to be the financial interest of the city council and the company they own Waterfront Edinburgh Limited, despite their 2003 plans being very outdated, partially withdrawn and contrary to many recent national planning guidelines on the Historic Environment and Sustainable Land Use. Even Historic Scotland pointed this out in their review.
We may have one last chance on the 27th January to challenge the 2003 plans to demolish and build 17 luxury townhouses in the walled garden.
Our local councillor Cammy Day has asked on our behalf to be allowed to attend the planning committee where the council will finally decide if the townhouse application is to be withdrawn or passed 12 years after it was initially made. We have asked for a determination of WEL’s garden plan to be made by hearing – to allow Friends Group Members to present some alternative ideas like restoring it as a garden for community use.
One photo which helps to sum up how rare this patch of fertile land is on the otherwise polluted and desolate post-industrial waterfront is the council’s own aerial picture (below). The sole green patch near the shore is where the walled garden remains well hidden & locked up!
Best wishes for the new year and hope to have news soon of our next Friends Group Meeting.
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