Seconds out, round two: Battle lines drawn in leafy Cramond
The two opposing sides in a planning dispute are slugging it out in a social media battle for community support – and the bruising encounter’s taking place in genteel Cramond. Continue reading Cramond Action Group issues last ditch appeal
Good news for Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden
Student flats set for St Paul’s site
A planning application has been lodged to build 36 student flats on the St Paul’s site off Pennywell Road in Muirhouse:
http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/5864/Edinburgh_church_to_make_way_for_new_student_housing.html
Community Land Ownership: government sets ambitious target
A strategy to significantly increase the amount of land in community ownership has been published today.
The report by the one million acre short life working group recommends a number of proposals to deliver the one million acre target by 2020 and spread the benefits of community ownership, including:
The report identified 480,000 acres of land already in community ownership, which has recently been increased to over 500,000 acres by the acquisition of land by The Pairc Trust since the report was finalised.
Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Aileen McLeod said: “I welcome this report from the one million acre short life working group, which looks at ways to reach our target of one million acres of community owned land by 2020. This ambitious target has the potential to transform the fortunes of communities across the country.
“I would like to thank the group for all their hard work and I look forward to considering the recommendations in this report alongside current land reform legislation to help ensure we empower communities with practical powers as well as support sustainability.” Continue reading One million acres
‘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
