‘We desperately need housing but the local planning authority isn’t addressing the basics’ – Colin Keir MSP
Colin Keir MSP for Edinburgh Western has called for infrastructure to be put in place to allow sustainable housing development in Edinburgh. Continue reading Keir: Housing situation ‘pressing on being critical’
Twenty folk attended TCC on 9 November. Here’s an update … Continue reading Trinity Community Council: November update
Johnstone questions Marketing chief’s ‘patronising’ comments
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, has questioned comments by John Donnelly, chief executive of Marketing Edinburgh, in which he supported plans to turn the Royal High School into a luxury hotel and the controversial redevelopment of the St James Centre. Continue reading Out of character, out of touch
A public consultation into how the future of Edinburgh and the South East of Scotland should be shaped closes tomorrow.
Anyone interested in commenting on the Main Issues Report, which will be used to develop plans to accommodate the area’s future growth, have until the consultation ends on 30 September.
Feedback received will help identify people’s key issues and priorities and will be used to form a strategic development plan for the area. This will inform the Local Development Plan for each local authority area in the region, focusing on long-term strategic level planning matters such as housing, economic growth, green networks and infrastructure.
Councillor Ian Perry, Chair of the SESplan Committee, said: “The South East of Scotland faces serious challenges as a result of population increases and projected future growth. It is vital that we plan now to make sure we have adequate housing and infrastructure, while protecting the environment.
“This means that we have to think creatively and innovatively to find solutions that will help ensure the continued success and growth of the area.
“The response we have received from local residents so far has been very encouraging but there is still plenty of time to have their views heard. Their comments will help us to make decisions that play a vital role in shaping the future of the region.”
Comment on the consultation through the SESplan website.
Success for Canonmills campaigners
Canonmills campaigners are celebrating tonight following a decision by city councillors to reject an application to demolish a popular restaurant to make way for an ‘eyesore’ block of flats.
The planning battle over Canonmills Bridge has raged for over five years. Planning consent has already been granted for six flats, three townhouses and two restaurants on the site currently occupied by Earthy, but the developers still required permission to demolish the existing building because it is in a conservation area.
Save 1- 6 Canonmills campaigners have fought an energetic campaign to oppose demolition and put their arguments to a hearing of the planning committee earlier today.
Campaign leader Jan Anderson, representatives of both Inverleith and Stockbridge and New Town and Broughton community councils, urban designer Ross McEwan, Inverleith Society, the Cockburn Association and local councillors all spoke against demolition.
Committee members upheld the deputations’ views that demolition would have a negative impact on the Inverleith Conservation Area and noted that the scale of the proposed new development is much larger than the current one-storey building it would replace.
Campaigners are naturally delighted with the decision. One said: “The council has got it right this time and common sense has prevailed. We are so happy that the demolition has been halted but we are also very aware that this may not be the end of the saga, as the developer does have a right of appeal. So we have just won the battle, not the war – but today’s victory means we are ready for anything now!”
Residents and interest groups living in Edinburgh and the South East of Scotland have been invited to share their views on how to shape the future of the region at a series of engagement events organised by SESplan.
The events mark the second stage of a public consultation launched on 21 July to discuss the Main Issues Report, which will be used to develop plans to accommodate the area’s future growth.
Over the next two decades the local population is expected to grow by 18% and the number of households by 25%.
These events aim to gather views on how to respond to the need for more housing and infrastructure, as well as the potential impact this could have on green belt areas.
Feedback received will help identify the key issues and priorities of people living in the South East of Scotland and will be used to form a strategic development plan for the area. This will inform the Local Development Plan for each local authority area in the region, focusing on long-term strategic level planning matters such as housing, economic growth, green networks and infrastructure.
Councillor Ian Perry, Chair of the SESplan Committee, said: “The South East of Scotland faces serious challenges as a result of population increases and projected future growth. It is vital that we plan now to make sure we have adequate housing and infrastructure, while protecting the environment.
“This means that we have to think creatively and innovatively to find solutions that will help ensure the continued success and growth of the area.
“The response we have received from local residents so far has been very encouraging but there is still plenty of time to have their views heard. I would encourage as many people as possible to come along and take part in this consultation. Their comments will help us to make decisions that play a vital role in shaping the future of the region.”
Further information about the consultation and events can be found at the SESplan website, or by contacting SESplan directly at: contactus@sesplan.gov.uk , telephone 01506 282883.
Community Events
Aimed at Community Councils, community groups and anyone looking to engage in discussions about the Main Issues Report. These events feature an introduction on what SESplan is and what the main issues are,followed by workshop-based discussion. Please let SESplan know if you want to attend.
Wednesday 26 August: Scottish Borders Council, Council Chamber, Newtown Street, Duns 6.30-8.30pm
Thursday 27 August: Waverley Court, East Market Street, Edinburgh 6-8pm
Tuesday 1 September: Bathgate Partnership Centre 6-8 pm
Wednesday 2 September: Portobello Town Hall, Portobello High Street, Edinburgh 6-8 pm
Wednesday 2 September: Fife House, Glenrothes 6-8pm
Thursday 3 September: Waverley Court, East Market Street, Edinburgh 6-8pm
Monday 7 September: Gibson Craig Hall, Currie 6-8pm
Tuesday 8 September: Scottish Borders Council, Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Newtown St Boswells 6.30-8.30pm
Wednesday 9 September: Business Centre, City Chambers, Edinburgh 6-8pm
Thursday 10 September: Scottish Borders Council, Council Chamber, Rosetta Road, Peebles 6.30-8.30pm
Wednesday 16 September: Midlothian Federation of Community Councils, Middleton Village Hall, Midlothian 7pm
Drop-in Events
Aimed at everyone who wants to find out a bit more about the Main Issues and have a chat with officers. Come along at any time on the time and date shown. No prior confirmation required.
Monday 14 September: Inverkeithing Civic Centre, Fife 3-7pm
Wednesday 16 September: Lasswade High School, Bonnyrigg 3-7pm
Thursday 17 September: City of Edinburgh, Faith Mission Hall, Gilmerton, Edinburgh 3-7pm
Seminar Theme Events
Events about the wider challenges and solutions rather than about SESplan and the Main Issues Report itself; these three events are aimed at the development industry, investors, house builders, social housing providers and those with interests in active travel, energy, town centres or green infrastructure. Advance booking essential.
Friday 4 September: ‘A Place for Communities’ seminar event: Chartered Institute of Housing, Edinburgh 9.30 am-1pm.
Featuring presentations on placemaking in a capital city region; looking beyond housing numbers; the future of town centres; green networks and the coordination of housing delivery with infrastructure provision. Speakers include Craig McLaren, Director RTPI Scotland; Malcolm Fraser, Director Malcolm Fraser Architects; Nicola Barclay, Director of Planning Homes for Scotland and Diarmuid Lawlor, Architecture+Design Scotland
Tuesday 8 September: ‘A Place to do Business’ seminar event: Scottish Enterprise, Apex House, Edinburgh 1.30-5pm.
Featuring presentations on Developing the City Deal; Growth Sectors; Economic Vision in the City Region; the Visitor Economy and the Future of Renewables. Speakers include Graham Birse, Edinburgh Napier University; Dr Andy Kerr, Executive Director, Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI); Chris Greenwood, Head of Research, Visit Scotland; Martin Wight, Manager Strategy and Economics, Scottish Enterprise and Ian Johnson, Head of Communities and Economy, Midlothian Council.
Monday 14 September: ‘A Better Connected Place’ seminar event: City Chambers, Edinburgh 9 am-12pm
Featuring presentations on city deal, the challenges and plans for the regional transport network, delivering infrastructure and active travel. Speakers include Fiona Clandillon, Rydens; Neil Langhorn, Active and Sustainable Transport Team leader, Transport Scotland; Keith Winter, Executive Director, Enterprise and Environment, Fife Council; John Hamilton, Winchburgh Developments/Scottish Property Federation and Alex Macaulay, SEStran
Actress Hayley Mills supports Canonmills campaign
The Save 1-6 Canonmills Bridge team kick off the final week of their campaign with a public meeting tonight.
The city council’s Planning Committee hearing is set for Wednesday, when a decision will be made on the proposed demolition of the building currently occupied by popular restaurant and organic produce store Earthy.
After weeks of campaigning and signature-gathering the team will conclude their efforts with a public meeting tonight at 7pm in Canonmills Baptist Church.
The meeting is an opportunity for the general public to hear those who will be speaking at Wednesday morning’s hearing and also offers the chance to air opinions and put questions to the team.
Speakers include campaign leader Jan Anderson, Marion Williams (Cockburn Association), urban designer Ross McEwan, Pam Barnes (Stockbridge & Inverleith Community Council) and Councillor Nick Gardner.
With the hardcopy petition at over 2000 signatures and the online campaign nearing 5000 the team was also thrilled to receive the backing of film and theatre star Hayley Mills.
Ms Mills said: “Good luck with your campaign to retain the heart of Canonmills. The loss would be a sad one for the local community and part of Edinburgh city.”
With those good wishes campaigners hope that council members will take notice and do the right thing by halting the demolition.
‘It ain’t over ’til the big ball swings!’ – Save 1 – 6 Canonmills Bridge campaigner Gemma Kicks
Canonmills campaigners achieved a partial victory yesterday when councillors from across the political spectrum called for a full public hearing to take place to discuss controversial plans to demolish buildings on Canonmills Bridge – a conservation area.
The hearing will take place on 26 August.
Campaigners will use the stay of execution to gather more support in the fight to stop the demolition. A spokesperson said: “Two key reasons for the agreement to the hearing was the positioning of the site which sits on the border of two council wards (wards 5 & 11) and two community council areas. It was therefore felt appropriate that councillors from these areas should be given a chance to share their opinions. The second reason being the vast amount of representations.”
The Save Canonmills Bridge campaign has attracted considerable public support since it was launched six weeks ago. Campaigners have gathered over 1600 signatures during weekend information stalls on the bridge at the weekends, a Facebook campaign has attracted 1228 followers and nearly 4000 people have added their support through an online petition.
The petition was presented to the committee yesterday.
In a statement, the campaign team said: “We have encountered unified support from across the local community (people of all ages and political perspectives), also from regular and occasional visitors to the area.
“We can’t overstate how much the area around Canonmills Bridge junction means to locals, pedestrians on their way to work or the Botanics, and to those frequenting the Water of Leith. We have been heartened by the repeat visits for progress updates and in encouragement to our stall.”
Campaigners shall now be gathering to agree their next moves, but it seems certain that the group will step up the campaign to ensure wider awareness of the development being proposed and to gather wider public support.
As local resident Gemma Kicks said: “It ain’t over til the big ball swings!”
Officials recommend Earthy should be demolished
Planning officials have recommended that the popular Earthy shop and cafe on Canonmills Bridge should be demolished to make way for a new development. Councillors will discuss the issue at a meeting this morning.
Three local issues feature on today’s Development Sub-Committee agenda.
Reports on Granton Castle’s Walled Garden, the controversial demolition of Earthy at Canonmills and the ongoing saga of the proposed housing development on Trinity Road will all be tabled at the meeting. which takes place at 10am in The Dean of Guild Court Room in the City Chambers.
While councillors will be asked simply to ‘note’ the council’s current position on Granton Castle Walled Garden, where plans remain in place to erect 17 luxury townhouses, officials are recommending that the proposed demolition of Earthy on Canonmills Bridge is given the go-ahead.
Officials also recommend that the proposed demolition of the existing garage building at 127 Trinity Road – and the development of five new houses there – should be granted.
Members of the Save 1-6 Canonmills Bridge campaign plan to lobby councillors before the meeting, which is open to the public.
Related papers:
Item_6.3____GRANTON_CASTLE_WALLED_GARDEN___03_04595_FUL
Item_8.1____1_CANONMILLS_BRIDGE___15_01786_CON
Item_8.4_a_____127_TRINITY_ROAD___15_01788_FUL
Item_8.4_b_____127_TRINITY_ROAD___14_05070_CON
DM_Sub_29_July_2015_Full_papers
‘Save our Secret Garden’ community campaign reaches climax on July 29th!
You may have heard of Granton Castle Walled Garden, but still not know where it is: that it is kept locked up and no-one can enter, or that it is still at risk from a luxury housing development (writes Kirsty Sutherland)!
At the end of this month the Friends Group campaign to safeguard and restore the walled garden will reach a crucial point.
On 29 July the council planners will make a final decision on the 2004 Waterfront Edinburgh Limited application; ‘minded to grant’ for demolition of parts of the walled garden to make way for 17 townhouses.
Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden hope they decide to refuse the 2004 application, instead allowing a chance of the listed garden’s restoration for community use.
Hundreds of local people have made their views known through petitions, representations and deputations to the city council, community councils and other organisations over the last year.
Historic Scotland visited the walled garden this spring and after reviewing the research compiled, concluded that it merits B-listing. Much older than previously thought, infact the oldest undeveloped walled garden in Edinburgh!
So what will happen if the council decide in favour of the historic garden being protected and restored at the end of this month?
Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill news is good for community groups like ours, interested in taking on the responsibility for a bit of our historic environment on the waterfront.
– Community Shares? – One idea to let local people own a bit of the walled garden and take part in planning and decisions on its future.
One share = one vote
Would you want to help save the garden if we could buy it?
Buy a share in the garden at £10 per share?
Get in touch or come along to a Friends Group Meeting if you want to hear more, ask questions or get involved.
grantoncastlegardengroup@gmail.com
Next meeting on ‘Ideas for the Garden’ in mid-August, date tbc.
Friends of Granton Castle Garden | ‘Forgotten’ Walled Garden
