Proposal of Application Notice lodged for residential units to replace Hotel option
Plans have been submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council for the New Town Quarter development. Proposals include a mix of new homes, offices and public amenities on the 5.9-acre former Royal Bank of Scotland site, at the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town.
We have received a huge amount of interest in our proposals – including more than 4,000 visitors to our website from Edinburgh, Scotland and across the world. This has become one of the largest consultations ever carried out for a city centre development and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to it by passing on their views and comments, all of which has helped shape our final application.
It is hoped that the application will be discussed at committee by the City of Edinburgh Council in December 2020.
For more information on the New Town Quarter, please click HERE
Ediston and Orion Capital Managers have lodged a new Proposal of Application for the New Town Quarter, one of the largest city centre developments to come forward in Edinburgh for a generation.
Plans were originally submitted to the city council at the end of July for offices, new homes and a hotel on the 5.9 acre former Royal Bank of Scotland site on Dundas Street in the heart of the New Town.
Now, updated proposals have been brought forward to provide around 79 new residential units to replace the hotel ‘as a response to changes in the economic climate caused by the coronavirus outbreak’.
The Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) means there will now be additional public consultation for the new application – this was launched on 8th October.
Welcoming the proposals, Ross McNulty, Development Director at Ediston, said: “This is the largest brownfield site to come forward in the city centre for many years and we have worked closely with the community and local organisations to create a high quality and vibrant new mixed-use neighbourhood.
“Understandably, there is now a need to review the development mix considering the huge impact that Covid-19 has had on the Scottish and global economies.
“While we remain positive that our overall proposals are robust, the reduced activity in the hospitality sector has driven a need to consider an alternative option for the hotel element of the development.”
Ross McNulty continued: “We have already carried out one of the most extensive consultations on a development in Edinburgh, and we would like to thank all the residents and groups that have provided feedback.
“Our proposals will provide a major economic boost to the local area and to the city centre and whilst our review has shown the proposals to be robust despite the impact on the Covid-19 crisis, it has highlighted the need to consider an alternative use to the hotel.
“Edinburgh’s economy is one of the strongest and most resilient in the UK and we are encouraged that New Town Quarter remains on track.”
The PAN is to be lodged imminently with the Council and the public consultation will also be publicised and commence shortly.
The change in approach will require a separate planning application involving another public consultation programme, most likely to be held online. The overall development has already been subject to three separate consultations, the most recent of which took place online in April.
Latest research shows the New Town Quarter is poised to bring significant economic benefit to the local area, and the wider in the city centre.
The operational phase of the development the community and local organisations to create a high quality and would create more than 700 full-time jobs whilst generating an annual GVA (Gross Added Value) economic uplift of £34.4 million to the local and regional economy.
The construction phase alone would create a further £27.7 million at a regional level, creating a further 60 full time jobs. Many of the area’s local bars, restaurants, cafes, barbers, hairdressers, and shops are also set to benefit from the huge amount of business and activity that development is set to generate during construction and beyond.
For more information visit: www.newtownnorth.co.uk
It’s a great year for local salon, MARKDAVID, based in Stockbridge, who have learned they have made the final of the Tribu-te Magazine The Big One UK Awards 2020 in The Design One Category.
The Big One UK 2020 awards are brainchild of the hairdressing industry trade magazine Tribu-te Magazine and were created to recognise UK hairdressing talent, both emerging and established.
The Design One category was open for eye-catching and chic salon design within the UK industry and to enter the salon had to submit four photographs showcasing the salons exceptional interior and décor, as well as credits of the photographs and details of the salon.
MARKDAVID was then chosen as one of seven finalists for The Design One category by a panel of judges, including editors from the international editions of Tribu-te and esteemed hairdressers and ambassadors from the awards three sponsors L’Oréal Professional, Great Lengths and Paul Mitchell.
The winners and trophies will be announced and awarded in November.
The salon, which opened in November 2019, has been an incredible success in its first year of opening with this award being the second the salon have finalised for this year with its interior design.
The salon also finalised for trade magazine, Salon Businesses Salon Business Awards in the Design Salon category, where they will find out their fate and if they have won the award in November in a digital grand final streamed live to the salon.
Mark McCarthy, owner of MARKDAVID, said: “To be a finalist for the Tribu-te The Big One Awards 2020 is incredible, I’m on such a high! I put a lot of time and effort into the design of my salon and ensuring it would be a relaxing and luxurious space for clients and enhance their experience in the salon.
“From the colours to the furnishings and the small finishing touches, I wanted everything to be perfect and the salon to have a unique and exclusive feel. For the top industry awards to recognise the effort put in and to appreciate this, it’s a great feeling.
“We are also currently expanding the salon further and I cannot wait to show everyone the new space and design!”
by MARK McCARTHY, owner of MARK DAVID SALON in Henderson Row
With current pandemic it’s so important for us to take time for ourselves at home to relax, indulge and have some self-care time. The colder months can also play havoc on our hair and leave our hair looking dry and frizzy and therefore it’s so important that we look after our hair and ensure we are keeping it moisturised at all times.
In the salon, after you have had a treatment with us, we provide you with a hot towel with lavender, which accentuates the hair treatment and allows you really unwind and feel good. To do this at home we have put together some simple steps:
1. Wash your hair in the shower and once you come out, dry out your hair and get rid of any excess water by patting it with a hair towel (not rubbing) before getting changed into your favourite lounging outfit or dressing gown.
2. Get a hand towel and drench this with water.
3. Wring out the water and add some essential oil to the hand towel. (If you do not have any essential oil you can use a few sprays of your favourite perfume).
4. Heat your towel in the microwave to a temperature that suits (be careful as the towel can be very hot!)
5. Apply your favourite treatment to your damp hair.
6. Wrap your hair in the hot towel and set up your sofa to enjoy 15 minutes of bliss!
7. Once you’ve finished this step you can rinse and then dry your hair as normal with your hairdryer and it should feel soft and silky and the experience will have made you feel a lot more relaxed and pampered!
Officers from Edinburgh Road Policing Unit are appealing for information after a road crash on Friday (18 September, 2020).
Around 9.45pm on Friday evening, a 26-year-old man was riding his electric scooter to cross the road on Great King Street at its junction with Dundas Street, when he was struck by a vehicle that failed to stop.
The man returned home then later made his way to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he was treated for his injuries and later released.
Police were then made aware of the incident.
Inspector Roger Park said: “Since this crash was reported to us, we have been carrying out enquiries to establish more details on this incident, and we are working to identify the vehicle involved and trace its occupants.
“I would appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident, or who was driving on this road around the time of the crash on Friday evening who has dash-cam footage to get in touch, as they may have information that will help our investigation.”
Anyone with details should contact Edinburgh Road Policing Unit on 101 quoting reference number 4418 of 18 September.
Two Edinburgh children’s charities have received £4,000 in donations from Amazon’s Development Centre in the city.
Amazon Development Centre Scotland donated £2,000 to Canongate Youth and £2,000 to The Yard.
The donations were made as part of the ‘Amazon in the Community’ programme, whereby the company supports the communities around its operating locations across the UK.
Canongate Youth supports children across Edinburgh and the Lothians, offering youth clubs, support services, advice and counselling. Amazon Development Centre Scotland has supported the charity since 2014.
The Yard is an organisation that creates safe play areas for disabled children and their siblings, giving them the chance to experience creative, adventurous indoor and outdoor play in a well-supported environment.
The charity plans to use the money to support more disabled children and families with online videos for early years, play ideas and relaxation, and work towards bringing more people back into the playground in line with current guidance.
Graeme Smith, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “We are pleased to offer these donations to such brilliant charities. We hope the support will help both charities continue their important work with the children of our community.”
Amazon’s Tich Kent with Anna Robinson (left) partnership manager and Danielle Campbell play team leader.NOTE picture was pre-COVID
Jenny MacDonald, Director of Development at The Yard, added: “We are very grateful for this donation from the Amazon team and for their support of our mission to ensure every child has the right to safe and fun play. We would like to say a big thank you to Amazon for its kind support.”
Amazon’s Development Centre in Scotland is responsible for innovations used around the world by the company, including machine learning to power Amazon’s smart features like personalised recommendations and intelligent advertising.
Community donations is one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19.
Amazon is providing disadvantaged students with online STEM courses as well as teaming up with charity partner Magic Breakfast and delivering three quarters of a million healthy breakfasts to families around the UK.
For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click here.
Latest update from the New Town North project team
Latest Information From The New Town North Project Team
Welcome to the fourth edition of our newsletter updating you on New Town North – a new mixed-use development being delivered in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town by developers Ediston and Orion Capital Managers.
Plans are in place to transform a 5.9-acre site between Dundas Street and the King George V Park, previously owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland, into a vibrant mixed-use community bringing together new homes, offices and local amenities.
Project Update
We are aiming to submit the planning application for the New Town North development to the City of Edinburgh Council by the end of July 2020. The team is currently finalising proposals as well as considering feedback from all our statutory stakeholders and from the latest consultation event which was held in April 2020.
Because of the coronavirus lockdown, the planned public exhibition was replaced with a fully interactive online consultation which generated a huge amount of interest from local, national, and international audiences. Viewers could access updated design information online and use a special ‘chat-box’ to ask questions or raise issues before submitting an online feedback form. During the ‘live’ exhibition period, the website recorded almost 2000 hits with visitors hailing from Scotland, the UK and overseas – proving how much national and international interest there is in this development.
In total, 87 completed feedback questionnaires were received covering a wide variety of issues. This compared favourably with previous public exhibitions held in September 2019 (59 completed forms received) and December 2010 (77). Thanks to all those who took part in this latest public consultation and made it such a success. All feedback from individuals and from nearly a dozen local groups at numerous local meetings has helped inform our proposals.
Key Consultation Issues & Responses
Height and Scale of the Proposals
Some residents have expressed concern about the height and scale of the proposals. This has been raised throughout the consultation. As a result of our approach and the feedback, the proposals have been have been carefully designed to ensure that the overall scale and density of the proposed development are in keeping with the character of the surrounding area. Density levels reflect that of the existing communities and developments around the New Town North proposals.
Green and Public Space
Residents were keen to understand the impact of the proposals on King George V Park, and considerable effort has gone into ensuring that additional green space is created within the development and that it blends well with the park. In total the available green space and soft landscaping on the site will increase that provided within the park by more than 25%, in addition to extensive public realm in newly created courtyards and pathways. The design team has been determined to make a significant improvement to the available public space and is confident this has been achieved in the latest proposals. We’d like to thank everyone, particularly the Friends of the Park, for their help in improving the proposals through the consultation.
Tree Maintenance
Trees in the area have now been subject to detailed reports by two independent arboriculturists to make sure we are taking a fully informed approach. The tree survey work has included King George V Park and the tree belt along Royal Crescent and Fettes Row will be managed in order to maintain its long standing and important presence. The team is finalising proposals on how this can be best achieved with the Council. In addition to the long-term management of the trees on Royal Crescent and Fettes Row there will be considerable new tree planting incorporated into the soft and hard landscape throughout the proposals.
Overshadowing
Some residents asked about overshadowing of the park. The team has been aware of this issue from early in the consultation process and this has been fully taken into account in the latest proposals. The plans remain fully compliant with the guidance applied by the Council for development beside parks and public places and will not result in any material additional overshadowing and in a couple of locations will offer a moderate benefit. The team has always worked to ensure that the proposals are coordinated with King George V Park and the planning application will reflect that approach.
Parking
Some of the local residents have raised concerns about the number of car parking spaces and seem to have been advised that there were only going to be 20 car parking spaces created. We have no idea how this rumour originated, but we are delighted to clarify the position. Parking numbers are strictly controlled by the Council on new developments. The proposals comply with Council Parking Standards, with off street parking being created for a total of 164 cars, across all uses. We also have incorporated 700 spaces for cycle parking, also based on guidance from the Council.
Eyre Place Courtyard
Eyre Place residents have raised questions about the relationship of the new development with their existing courtyard, which currently abuts a blank wall adjacent to the existing office building. An expanded courtyard is being created adjacent to their properties. We can confirm that this expanded courtyard space is 50% larger than the existing space. Sunlight penetration into the courtyard will also be increased. There were also questions about overlooking, which is inevitable on any city centre development. Any new directly facing windows will be the same distance away, or further, than at present.
Materials
Many residents asked about materials being used in the development. We have been working hard with the Council and Historic Environment Scotland to get the right mix of stone and other materials for use in the development, which is obviously a major challenge on such a complex proposal. These discussions are nearing a conclusion and will be reflected in the Planning Application.
Pathways/Cycling
Some residents were concerned about increased cycling through the park. The proposals for pathway access have been significantly reduced to reflect these concerns and to manage the interface between pedestrians and cyclists, with one of the proposed access points being removed. This will create an environment where walking is given an appropriate priority.
Local Businesses on the Road to Recovery
Local business in Dundas Street and the area surrounding the New Town North development are now opening up for business, following almost four months of lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. And while economic forecasts for the area make grim reading, with Edinburgh predicted to record its highest levels of unemployment since July 1995, the New Town North planning application is set to bring confidence and hope to many neighboring businesses who are committing to a long-term future in the area.
Latest published research shows the New Town North development is poised to bring significant economic benefit to the local area, and the wider Edinburgh economy. A report by UK planning and engineering consultancy The Waterman Group, commissioned by Ediston, reveals that the operational phase of the development would create more than 700 full-time jobs whilst generating an annual GVA (Gross Added Value) economic uplift of £34.4 million to the local and regional economy.
The construction phase alone would create a further £27.7 million GVA at a regional level, creating a further 60 full-time jobs. And many of the local bars, restaurants, cafes, barbers, hairdressers and shops will also benefit from the huge amount of business and activity that development is set to generate during construction and beyond.
Reflecting the Best of the New Town
New Town North is a new mixed-use development being delivered in the heart of Edinburgh’s celebrated New Town by developers Ediston and Orion Capital Managers. Plans are in place to transform a 5.9-acre site between Dundas Street and the King George V Park, previously owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland, into a vibrant mixed-use community bringing together new homes, offices, hotels and local amenities. The site has lain largely derelict and inaccessible for almost three years since RBS moved out in 2017. We now have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform this empty space into a world-class development for Edinburgh’s city centre, reflecting the very best of the city’s New Town. Visit Our Website
Feedback & Contact
For more information on New Town North, please contact:
Virtual Exhibition becomes real as staff prepare to open Ilona Szalay’s Some Are Born to Sweet Delight, Some Are Born to Endless Night at Arusha Gallery, Edinburgh
Exhibition Dates: 12 June 2020 until 12 July 2020
Arusha Gallery Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 1pm to 5pm.
After a little over 3 months since it closed its doors in March Arusha Gallery is set to reopen to the public. The gallery in Edinburgh’s New Town has measures in place to ensure social distancing is maintained, that staff are protected and a high level of hygiene is maintained.
Arusha runs a yearly programme of exhibitions, events and fairs, both nationally and internationally, with regular collaborations with guest artists, curators, festivals and institutions.
The Gallery has continued its exhibition programme throughout lockdown using online viewing rooms where its current exhibition Ilona Szalay’s Some Are Born to Sweet Delight, Some Are Born to Endless Night is on display.
It will remain there for those who are not yet able or comfortable with a gallery visit but last week the staff ensured that it now also hangs on the gallery’s walls ready for people to enjoy in person from Monday through until 12 July 2020.
Agnieszka Prendota, CreativeDirector at Arusha Gallery said: “We feel a huge sense of relief and release being able to open up the Gallery and share the wonderful work that our artists create with people in person again.
“It is a huge step forward. Our wonderful audiences and customers have been very supportive throughout this period but I know that we will all feel more joy for being able to come together albeit within restrictions to experience our artists’ work first hand and to reawaken parts of our souls that have remained locked up in recent months.
“We are in full mode preparing for the reopening, with a supply of masks, gloves and sanitiser to be accessible at the entrance to the gallery. We will have an A board outlining the social distancing measure within the gallery where they will move clockwise around the exhibition space.
“We have worked out that 6 people can be in the gallery at any one time. With all of these measures in place though the atmosphere in the gallery can remain relaxed and open. It’s certainly easier than navigating a supermarket!”
Some Are Born to Sweet Delight, Some Are Born to Endless Night shows a new body of work by Beirut-born Szalay on aluminium, glass and paper.
Szalay, a graduate of Central St Martins describes her work: “In the paintings we see statues petrified and bound on their pedestals. Disembodied arms which encircle with dependence and dominance.
“Broken mythological figures seemingly stunned by their own constraint and ineptitude. Gloriously ambivalent gods and goddesses remain coolly indifferent to what seethes below. And of course ‘the cage’ – the Blakian cage for the robin – the frame itself that holds the image, frozen in postures of pleasure, sensuality, pain, confusion, titillation and torture.”
Through a range of media from canvas to tracing paper, LED light to glass, Szalay engages the multitudinous dichotomies that make up both collective and individual subjective experience in her own restrained, poetic visual language.
Agnieszka Prendota added: “We are thrilled to be opening the gallery with Ilona Szalay’s show; her works are so tactile and enthralling.
“It feels right that, now again, it is possible for Edinburghs’ public to experience them in their full impact.”
New images have been published of New Town North – one of the largest regeneration projects to take place in Edinburgh for a generation.
The images have been revealed as part of an online public consultation event, launched in April, illustrating the latest design phase of the development to the local community.
The ambitious New Town North development is one of Scotland’s largest brownfield regeneration projects. It is set to transform the 5.9-acre former Royal Bank of Scotland site in Edinburgh’s New Town and is being delivered by property company Ediston on behalf of Orion Capital Managers, whose fund bought the site in May 2019.
Ediston is currently leading a major public consultation programme for the site, which sits between Dundas Street and King George V Park, prior to submitting a planning application to the City of Edinburgh Council later this year.
The developer launched the online interactive consultation following the cancellation of the previously planned public event following the coronavirus outbreak. The consultation can be viewed by logging on to the New Town North website: www.newtownnorth.co.uk.
Proposals include a mixed-use development replacing existing buildings with new homes, build-to-rent apartments, premium ofice space and a high-class hotel. Also planned are retail outlets, gym and health facilities together with extensive landscaping and new public realm.
Ross McNulty, Development Director at Ediston, reaffirmed the developer’s commitment to delivering a high-quality scheme. “Now, more than ever, we are 100% committed to progressing with our planning application this year,” he said.
“New Town North will provide a significant boost for the local area which will have a positive impact on local businesses -who are in desperate need of some good news right now.
“This is our third consultation event and provides an opportunity for the local community to have a clearer idea on how the development will look – even if they can’t attend an exhibition in person. Our team is working hard to be ready for significant engagement with residents to make sure they all have their say in our proposals.
“We are aware that this is a complex and large brownfield site with important links to some of Edinburgh’s finest streets and green spaces, and we are making sure we consult properly with local people to deliver a high-quality development.”
Research shows the New Town North development is poised to bring significant economic benefit to the local area and wider Edinburgh economy, following the closure of the RBS building in 2017 which employed more than 2,500 employees on the site.
The report, by UK planning and engineering consultancy The Waterman Group and commissioned by Ediston, reveals that the operational phase of the development would create more than 700 full-time jobs whilst generating an annual GVA (Gross Added Value) economic uplift of £34.4 million to the regional economy.
The construction phase alone would create a further £27.7 million GVA at a regional level, creating a further 60 full time jobs.
The site today
Mr McNulty added: “From our discussions with the local business community, we are aware of the impact that a large redundant site can have on the local area – and the huge potential of creating a new attractive destination and focal point for the area.
“Our research highlights the significant investment benefits that this high-quality development would bring to the Edinburgh economy, as well as helping to meet the pressing need for high quality new homes and ofice space.”
The New Town North development site was formerly the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland. RBS first developed the site in 1978 to house ofices and a data centre. Before then, the site was home to St Bernard’s Football Club which disbanded in 1947.
AN EDINBURGH hotel is making traditional paper directories a thing of the past in its latest green effort.
Four-star boutique hotel Nira Caledonia has moved its directory online to its specially-designed mobile app in a bid to be more environmentally conscious. Continue reading Hotel bins directory to save trees
