An outline business case to create a £1.3bn well-connected, sustainable new coastal town at Granton Waterfront will be considered at the Policy and Sustainability Committee next week.
If approved, a final business case for a first phase of regeneration will be developed over the next 18 months using the skills and experience of a development partner, whilst also progressing plans for a low carbon heat network solution.
Over the next 15 years the regeneration of Granton Waterfront will deliver around 3,500 net zero carbon homes, a primary school, health centre, commercial and cultural space, sustainable transport provision and a new coastal park.
Progress has already been made in the area, including accelerating the delivery of around 661 Council-led homes alongside the provision of key amenities and enhanced connectivity.
There has also been positive progress in growing a cultural and arts cluster in Granton Waterfront.
Council leader, Adam McVey, said:“This business case gives us a blueprint to go forward and clearly demonstrates our commitment to tackling climate change as we start to gear up for COP26 next month.
“Granton Waterfront is one of the seven strategic development sites in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region deal and as one of the most environmentally friendly areas under development in Scotland is expected to lead the way in sustainable development in the city as part of Edinburgh’s commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030.
Depute leader and lead on the Granton Waterfront project, Cammy Day, said: “This development is making a large contribution to Edinburgh’s housing needs and our proposed City Plan 2030 being considered by councillors on the Planning Committee this week.
“Granton Waterfront will lead the way in the city providing much-needed sustainable housing following the 20 minute neighbourhood approach with shops, healthcare, cultural and leisure and education facilities all nearby.
“It will be well connected to the rest of Edinburgh and beyond with new sustainable travel links and active travel routes running through the site adhering to the principles of sustainable travel in our City Mobility Plan.”
– Climate change – Affordability – Providing more homes – Providing more jobs – How people move aroundge
The proposal is a ‘comprehensive and bold plan’ to make sure future development in Edinburgh is sustainable, meets the needs of Edinburgh’s growing population and communities and helps the city achieve its Net Zero 2030 ambition.
This proposed plan for the next ten years sets out how areas of the city will be linked together building on existing transport networks as well as making full use of education and healthcare facilities already embedded in communities across the Capital. Resetting the direction of development to bring about a joined-up city rather than spreading outwards also provides a positive and sustainable step for future decades to come.
Edinburgh’s population is rising, and people are making huge changes in the way they live their lives due to the global climate emergency and the current health pandemic.
This is how the plan proposes to address these challenges:
Future development would be managed through the preferred approach set out in the ‘Choices for City Plan 2030’ document, which went through a major consultation exercise with Edinburgh residents and stakeholders.
The proposed plan will support the Scottish Government’s 20-minute walkable neighbourhood plans as well as directing development to and maximising the use of brownfield rather than greenfield land.
In the west a new mixed-use neighbourhood is to be created, well served by existing infrastructure, with the tram line running through as well as an adjacent station, in an area previously designated largely for business development in the 2016 plan.
New neighbourhoods on brownfield land at the Forth Waterfront will also be taken forward.
Land has also been designated for new developments at Seafield, Redford Barracks, Astley Ainslie, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Liberton Hospital, Bonnington, Fettes and other major sites across the city.
The draft plan also sets out how the Council will deliver land to meet Edinburgh’s housing needs over the next decade, securing a minimum contribution of 35% affordable housing from any new development as well as policies to help manage the number of short term lets (STLs) operating in the city.
Councillor Neil Gardiner, Planning Convener, said: “This proposed development plan can recalibrate how development happens in this city, positively shaping how our Capital grows and changes over the next 10 years and beyond.
“Rather than growing forever outwards, the proposed plan focuses on developing new communities on brownfield land which mix living, working and leisure uses. These locations utilise and add to already existing infrastructure. This plan is about us as a city collectively making the right decisions now so that our residents can make reasonable and informed choices about how and where they live and how they get around in the future.
“City Plan 2030 has been developed taking on board the views of residents, businesses, and other stakeholders from across the city to help us meet our core priorities for Edinburgh: making Edinburgh a sustainable city, which supports everyone’s wellbeing and enables our residents to access homes they can afford.
“The plan also facilitates travel options and networks so that residents won’t have to own a car to move around, while having every opportunity to share in their city’s success.
“Our proposal of mixed-use communities in the plan aligns to Scottish Government’s 20-minute neighbourhood vision, which is especially relevant now as the global pandemic continues to make massive changes to the way people live their lives. This includes how we all use and appreciate green spaces with the health and well-being benefits they bring.
“Community resilience also includes easy access to facilities and neighbourhoods need a mixture of services within easy reach such as shops, health and education, as well as the potential to find a job near where you live.
“We also need to rethink how we accommodate our growing population and I believe that our emphasis on prioritising brownfield land and making the best use of the limited space we have is the right approach.
In the west a new neighbourhood with a mix of uses within easy walking distance is to be created. This is also well served by existing infrastructure, with the tram running through the community as well as a mainline station. This area was previously designated largely for business development in the 2016 plan.
“Other significant sites across the city will all require masterplans ensuring that in each case the whole is much more than the sum of the parts, better meeting the needs of new and existing communities.
“Going forward we need to work with developers asking them to rise to the challenges of rapid climate change and finite resources. Developers need to think more carefully about location, using the land we have available effectively, with sustainable design. This proposed plan better connects existing communities through development of underused brownfield land.
“We need to protect Edinburgh’s beautiful green setting from the Pentlands to the Forth, increase biodiversity, physical and mental wellbeing, reduce flooding and other climate impacts, and improve air quality.
“Developers will need to make sure that one third of their houses in residential developments are affordable. We will also continue the city’s own programme to build affordable housing.
“Edinburgh currently has almost a third of all STLs in Scotland, policies included in the plan help us to take further action and manage these. This quantity of commercial use puts pressure on house prices and rents and takes much needed houses out of supply as well as causing issues such as anti-social behaviour, leaving hollowed out communities.
“Last year, we set out bold preferred options in ‘Choices for City Plan 2030’, alongside other viable alternatives which were considered during the public consultation. This had a massive response with around 1,800 contributions. I’d like to thank everyone again who submitted their views.
“We’ve listened carefully to the feedback provided and through regular meetings working with colleagues across all political parties throughout this process, I’m hopeful through this proposed plan we can agree on a positive way forward for Edinburgh at committee next week.
Councillor Maureen Child, Planning Vice-Convener, said: “To meet our ambitious climate change target and become a carbon neutral city by 2030, as the city continues to grow, we must develop differently in the future and our proposed plan sets out how all houses and other buildings will need be much more energy efficient.
“We’re already committed to building 20,000 affordable and low-cost homes by 2027 but the city desperately needs more housing. That’s why our proposals put particular emphasis on land for housing and affordable homes.
“We’ll also make sure that we protect people’s homes by making sure appropriate flood defences are in place for all new developments as we’re fully aware of the risk of flooding and the other impacts of climate change.
“Our rising population and the climate emergency were already posing huge challenges for us as a Council and the current health pandemic has greatly accelerated many changes to our lives – I believe our proposed plan takes account of these major societal transformations we’re currently experiencing.
“Connectivity is of course central to our success and our other aim is to guide development towards areas where facilities such as schools and healthcare centres already exist. Where these need to be developed we’ll listen to the needs of communities, taking them with us, as new neighbourhoods develop.
“Our Transport and Environment Committee has also already agreed our City Mobility Plan designed to improve sustainable transport over the next decade.”
Councillors on the Planning Committee will consider the proposed City Plan 2030 next Wednesday (29 September) before final representations are sought.
These will be considered by the Council before it is submitted to the Scottish Government for Examination. The Council can then consider adopting the plan to shape how the city develops over the next 10 years.
You can watch the webcast for the Planning Committee next week here.
The owners of The Dome in Edinburgh have said they hope the planning committee approve plans for a new roof for their Rose Street Garden this week to ensure income for the famous venue and help them meet rising upkeep and maintenance costs.
Owners of The Dome say having the Rose Street Garden unable to trade due to do unpredictable weather conditions is putting a great strain on the business. A roof would allow the Garden to be used in all weathers, maximising customers space following the Covid-19 pandemic and helping The Dome meet upkeep and maintenance costs that are increasing on an annual basis.
But Council planners have recommended that the Development Management Sub Committee reject the application, despite no objections from community councils or members of the public and 27 submissions supporting the move indicating they believed it would be a positive addition to the building.
The Dome management are puzzled planners that Historic Scotland (HES), have recommended refusal when a similar application was granted in 1999 with no objection from HES.
Commenting on the report from the Planning Officers, The Dome management said: “The Dome is an iconic Edinburgh building and an attraction in its own right.
“Our application for a retractable glass roof to the rear of the property is similar to one approved in 1999. It means we can make better use of the space on Rose Street and adapt to the changing demands of our customers who more and more want safe outdoor space.
“Approving this roof will allow The Dome to continue as one of Edinburgh’s Premiere venues and tourist attractions. We hope the planning committee would give consideration to the points we have made above.”
Proposals for an exciting new residential development at New Mart Road, Chesser, have been announced today, creating a new urban quarter.
Watkin Jones Group, a leading developer and manager of homes for rent, has revealed proposals to redevelop land to the rear of the Corn Exchange, which includes the World of Football and World of Bowling buildings. .
The proposed high-quality mixed-use brownfield development will comprise primarily of build-to-rent (BTR) homes, including affordable homes, as well as managed student accommodation, forming a mixed-tenure urban residential village. This forms part of an overall regeneration of the brownfield site following the recent acquisition of the Corn Exchange building concert venue by the Academy Music Group, to be called the O2 Academy Edinburgh.
Completing the work in 2025, should planning permission be given, the regeneration of this brownfield site – formerly comprising a mix of listed and unlisted buildings originally used as an auction mart and livestock sheds – will seek to retain the character and elements of the buildings. This will ensure their long-term viable future, all of which is considered in the creation of community spaces and public realm within the proposed scheme.
The World of Football and World of Bowling have provided a suitable uses and adaptation of the former auction mart buildings and livestock sheds for over 22 years, however their condition currently requires considerable investment on an ongoing basis.
To bring the buildings up to standard is a continual test, burden and cost for the business. Investment in recent state of the art facilities such as World of Football at Marine Drive show that they can provide far more viable spaces without the ongoing cost and environmental impact that old out of date buildings unfortunately provide.
The BTR apartments will comprise a mix of studios, one bedroom, two bedroom and three-bedroom flats. Within the building it is proposed there are areas of communal amenity such as working from home and study space, a communal lounge, exercise facilities, management suite and reception, bike storage and large shared kitchen.
Student bed spaces are proposed as a mix of studio and cluster rooms each with their own ensuite. This will also have a range of communal amenity spaces, bike storage, management suite and reception areas.
Reflecting the heritage of the site, a significant proportion of the former livestock shed frames will be retained and incorporated into the overall development. There will also be a variety of external high-quality communal spaces. The development is proposed as a car free scheme with parking limited to accessible parking only and maximising the good quality public transport and active travel links to the site.
Each of the key areas of public realm and open space will be given an identity as part of the overall masterplan, reflecting the history of the site, including a large central public square. This will form a connection between the proposed development and the O2 Academy Edinburgh
It is envisaged that the public square will be used by performing arts groups; farmers markets; leisure square gatherings and as an urban gathering space for residents.
The central square is adjacent to a series of smaller walled gardens and routes that link the more private series of residential courtyards. These smaller courtyards are connected by a grouping of pends, footpaths and tree lined boulevards.
The developer has formally submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to City of Edinburgh Council, informing it that it intends to submit a planning application for the development following a minimum 12-week consultation period.
Watkin Jones Group has undertaken major BTR schemes throughout the UK, completing its first purpose-built scheme in Leeds in 2016.
It has extensive experience of working in Edinburgh, investing extensively in the city over the last 10 years. Over the period it has developed a total of ten purpose-built student accommodation schemes, equating to 2,861 student homes.
A notable example is the award-winning Sugarhouse Close development, which was completed in the summer of 2012. The development is accessed from the Royal Mile and located within the World Heritage Site, demonstrating that the Group have first-hand experience delivering a high-quality scheme in a historically sensitive location.
Watkin Jones Group is also currently progressing a mixed tenure residential development at Iona Street in Edinburgh, for which planning permission was granted in March of this year. This development comprises over 200 managed student homes, 60 residential apartments and 20 affordable homes and will be completed in 2023. In addition, the Group is delivering 645 managed student homes on Westfield Road and Gorgie Road which will be completing in 2022.
Iain Smith, Planning Director for Watkin Jones, commented: “We’re thrilled to be announcing our exciting scheme for this new urban quarter at Chesser, creating a thriving and diverse community as part of an overall redevelopment of the area. The site is in a highly sustainable location with excellent access to amenities and transport links and will be built to future-proofed high environmental standards.
“Maintaining the strong heritage of the site is a feature of the development and our intention is to retain the character of the buildings where we can, ensuring their long-term viable future, with the creation of some fantastic public squares, each with their own distinct identity.
“These proposals will greatly assist in the regeneration of this part of the city and we are consulting extensively to ensure that people from across the local area have an opportunity to input their views and shape our ambitious proposals.”
What is BTR?
BTR is a relatively new model for creating new homes in the UK but it is very popular in Europe and America. All the properties are built for rent, not for sale and are usually owned by a pension provider that wants to maintain a secure income to pay the pensions of its members.
Because the owner is a long-term professional investor there is an emphasis on future-proofed sustainability and maintaining a diverse thriving community that keeps the building and local area attractive as a place to live for decades.
Residents are offered long-term security of tenure, with the flexibility of renting and have access to wider on-site amenities, such as gyms and workspaces, that offer a better lifestyle the traditional boundaries of rented homes. Pets are often allowed in BTR homes. Recent research by the UKAA found that BTR homes charge similar rents to traditional rented homes.
Forth Ports has today announced plans to fully repair the Category A Listed Victoria Swing Bridge located at the Port of Leith to conserve the bridge for the future and create a useable space for the local community.
The private six figure investment will see the bridge, which is the largest counterweighted swing bridge in Scotland, fully repaired, with a phased programme of specialist works which will protect the character and form of the bridge.
Forth Ports’ plans are outlined in a Listed Building Consent application which has been lodged with City of Edinburgh Council (CEC). The proposed repair programme is to be carried out in phases and includes:
The full refurbishment of the northern and southern walkways
Re-decking the central carriage way
Replacement of the decked turning circle areas
A full repair and repaint of metalwork on the bridge
The Victoria Swing Bridge was designed by Alexander Rendel and opened in 1874 to provide an efficient road and railway route for the port following the completion of construction of Albert Dock in 1869.
The bridge was originally B listed but was upgraded to an A listing in 2014. It is constructed of riveted wrought iron, timber and steel and originally carried a double rail track along its central deck (providing access for both trains and road vehicles) and features pedestrian walkways on either side.
Following receipt of Listed Building Consent from the Council, Phase I – the refurbishment of the north and south pedestrian walkways – is expected to be undertaken this year, with the remaining work anticipated being undertaken in 2022. Pedestrian access to the bridge for the local community will be maintained for the duration of the works.
Commenting on the project, Charles Hammond, Group Chief Executive at Forth Ports, said: “The Victoria Swing Bridge is a well kent sight in Leith and it is an important and rare surviving example of our heritage.
“The plans we have submitted to the Council have been well thought through and will ensure that the repairs are appropriate for the conservation of this important landmark.
“We want to also create a useable space for the local community and we hope that once the bridge has been restored, people will be able to enjoy this historic space.”
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “This is excellent news that Forth Ports are investing in a full repair of the Victoria Swing Bridge.
“The bridge is an iconic part of Leith’s history and has been in need of refurbishment for some time.
“I am pleased that the bridge is being preserved so that people can enjoy using it for generations to come.”
If, following the public consultation, the Council gives the go ahead and the proposal is approved by the Scottish Government, the new powers would mean all residential properties, which are not an owner’s principle home, being let as STLs in their totality throughout the local authority area would require approval of a ‘change of use’ to a STL from Planning.
Around a third of STLs in Scotland are in Edinburgh. At the moment, in addition to planning applications made for STLs, to establish whether or not planning permission is required for properties where this is disputed, the Council’s enforcement team looks at each case individually, which is a very lengthy and time consuming process.
The introduction of powers to make a control area, follows the Council calling for new legislation to tighten up the control of STLs to help manage high concentrations of secondary letting where it affects the availability of residential housing or the character of a neighbourhood.
Also, it will help to restrict or prevent STLs in places or types of buildings where they are not appropriate as well as making sure homes are used to best effect in their areas.
Generally renting out a room/s in your house or letting your property whilst on holiday would also still be allowed if Edinburgh became a STL control zone.
The Scottish Government is currently consulting on legislation to introduce a new licensing regime next year, which the Council also called for, to address the issues of safety, anti-social behaviour and noise. These issues have all had a detrimental effect on communities as the number of STLs has greatly increased across the city in recent years.
The proposal is that all Scottish councils will have to adopt a STL licensing system by October 2022. In terms of the Government’s proposed new licensing regime, if Edinburgh becomes a control area it will be a mandatory condition of any licensing application to have made a planning application or to have planning permission already when providing accommodation that requires it.
Councillor Neil Gardiner, Planning Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We’ve worked hard calling for greater controls for short term lets and so it’s great we’re now asking for your views on the whole city becoming a control area.
“This is a positive step forward as Edinburgh has almost a third of all STLs in Scotland and so we need to take action. They’re putting pressure on house prices and rents and taking houses out of supply as well as causing issues such as anti-social behaviour and the hollowing out of communities.
“We’re really keen to hear views from residents in all communities across the city and the industry and we’ll carefully consider all of the feedback you give us before the proposal is finalised as the impact of STLs can be felt in communities across Edinburgh.”
Councillor Maureen Child, Planning Vice-Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “If we do proceed with this approach and it’s approved by the Scottish Government, we’ll be better able to manage the number of STLs in the city.
“Many properties being let out in a control area would automatically require to have ‘change of use’ planning permission in place and I’m pleased the Scottish Government is also proposing that when people apply for a licence we can ask for evidence of that.”
LOVE Gorgie Farm and People Know How will operate community facilities
S1 Developments has submitted a planning application for an ‘exciting new student residential development’ at the former Tynecastle High School site.
The developers say ‘this high-quality student development will regenerate a site that has lain vacant for over a decade and fallen into a state of disrepair. The careful restoration of the original Category B-listed school building, designed by John Alexander Carfrae, forms an integral part of the proposals. The development will far exceed amenity standards for similar student developments and has sustainability at its heart.’
Charities LOVE Gorgie Farm and People Know How have also been revealed as preferred operators for community facilities on the site should planning permission be granted.
The highly popular urban farm will operate an extensive community garden while People Know How, which already works with Tynecastle High School, will operate a community facility within the building.
The original school hall will be repurposed as a central amenity hub, sitting within a collegiate-style courtyard space and providing high quality shared facilities for student residents. The landscaping proposals increase green space across the site by more than 40 per cent, helping to increase biodiversity within the local area.
The development has been designed to be highly sustainable with zero parking, 100 per cent cycle parking, the employment of low carbon technologies and no use of fossil fuels.
Council guidance points to the benefits of purpose-built student accommodation in freeing up traditional housing stock for families with children and it has been estimated that a development such as this could release up to 180 properties back into the housing market. Local businesses will also benefit through increased spending from student residents.
People Know How will operate a community facility, with the option for other local community groups to use space. The charity supports children, young people and their families in Edinburgh transition from primary to high school; helps individuals access the digital world and assists communities to shape their areas through community consultation and empowerment.
A large number of students volunteer to work with the charity and this enables a positive relationship with students in the building to be established. Not only does this support the charity in its work, but also benefits the volunteers and engages them in the local area.
LOVE Gorgie Farm will seek to engage children and young people in its environmental programmes through a community garden, on the western edge of the site, which will include planting beds, a shelter, storage space and greenhouses. The farm’s Earth School project, for example will stimulate interest in nature, encouraging new generations in creating a brighter and eco-friendly future.
Dan Teague, Director at S1 Developments, said:“We’re delighted to be submitting a planning application for this exciting development, and to also highlight our involvement with two charities who do such valuable work in local communities.
“As S1 Developments we develop sites to suit the location and have delivered hundreds of homes, including affordable homes across the city. Following our careful assessment of this site, we feel that student development is the most appropriate use given the constraints.
“This will not only secure the redevelopment of the Old Tynecastle High School, and provide a boost to the local economy, but also allows us to develop the site in manner which is compatible with neighbouring uses.
“The original school building has fallen into a sorry state since it ceased being a school over a decade ago. Whilst the redevelopment is challenging, we are hopeful that the proposed use brings with it an opportunity to save and renovate the original school building and continue its educational use, benefitting the local community.”
Julie O’Donnell, Head of LOVE Gorgie Farm, said:“We’re very exciting about the prospect of operating the community garden should the scheme receive consent.
“With the environment and climate change such topical issues the garden will complement superbly what we do at the farm in the terms of educating our children and young people on nature and the delivery of an eco-friendly future.”
Glenn Liddall, Chief Executive of People Know How, commented:“It is great to be offered this facility, allowing us to increase our activity with the local community. While we will operate it, we are also keen that other groups and organisations be able to make use of it.
“As a large number of students routinely work with us by way of volunteering, internships and placements, this is a win-win for us. It not only allows us to establish a positive relationship with students in the building who can support us in our work but benefits and engages them in the local area.”
Images of the proposed new design for the Dunard Centre supported by Royal Bank of Scotland, reveal an opportunity to make an ‘inspiring contribution to the city’s cultural rebuild‘, project leaders IMPACT Scotland said yesterday.
One of the boldest ventures in the city’s recent past, Edinburgh’s first purpose-built music and performance venue in over one hundred years will rival the best in the world in acoustic quality and audience experience, bringing together architect Sir David Chipperfield, recognised throughout the world for high quality architecture in sensitive heritage sites and leading acousticians Nagata Acoustics, established international authorities in the field of concert hall design.
As the cultural flagship for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, the Dunard Centre will fill a recognised gap in the region’s cultural infrastructure and provide a platform for local, national and international musicians to perform to audiences in the very best environment.
The 1000 capacity hall is designed with the flexibility to welcome the widest possible range of acoustic and amplified music and performance to a mid-sized venue.
The simple elegance of the exterior reflects the surrounding neoclassical design of the Edinburgh New Town and opens up an undiscovered area of the city centre, linking the St James Quarter, St Andrew Square and the Register Lanes and contributing to the regeneration of the area.
Impact Co-chair Fergus Linehan said: “We are delighted to unveil the stunning design for the Dunard Centre which will be a truly transformational venue in the heart of Edinburgh.
“The restrictions throughout the pandemic have highlighted the enormous contribution participating in the performing arts, whether as an audience member or a performer, makes to our wellbeing.
“It is a great honour to be leading a project which will make such a positive and inspiring contribution to the city’s cultural rebuild.”
Co-chair Gavin Reid added: “As well as being a creative hub hosting music and educational experiences of all kinds, the Dunard Centre will reach out beyond its own walls to be an inspirational springboard for outreach work across the city and beyond.”
Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal partners also welcomed the announcement.
UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: “The Dunard Centre is an exciting prospect for Edinburgh’s cultural landscape.
“These designs show the great potential for a new, dynamic creative space in the heart of the city.
“The UK Government is investing £10 million in this project as part of it’s £1.5 billion commitment to Region Deals across Scotland, helping communities everywhere to build back better from the pandemic.”
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Adam McVey said: “The Dunard Centre is an exciting and important new cultural venue for our Capital. This is the first purpose-built concert venue in Edinburgh in more than 100 years which will expand Edinburgh’s landscape for enjoying music and the arts.
“It is in a prime central and sustainable location, with fantastic public transport connections and will complement the wider transformation of the east end of the city centre alongside the opening of the Edinburgh St James Quarter- ensuring that our City centre remains a vibrant and thriving destination.”
Malcolm Buchanan, chair, Scotland Board, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “The Dunard Centre is an exciting proposition that will enrich the city’s education, music and arts communities and one that we are proud to be part of.
“Royal Bank of Scotland has supported Scotland’s arts sectors throughout its 300-year history, three centuries which have cemented Edinburgh and the country’s position as a capital for global culture.
“The Dunard Centre will play a role in continuing that tradition and create further opportunity for another generation of artists and performers.”
Sir David Chipperfield said: “Tucked behind Dundas House and on axis with George Street, the Dunard Centre occupies a strategic site linking the formal qualities of St. Andrew Square and the New Town with the more intimate atmosphere of lanes around Register House towards the new St. James Quarter.
“The identity of the building is determined by its circular form, contributing to the silhouette of the city and enclosing a 1,000-seat hall. This flexible world-class facility is designed to adapt to a wide-ranging programme of performances and cultural activities, ensuring it will serve as a meaningful new addition to the life and fabric of Edinburgh.”
The redesigned building will house:
⦁ 1000 capacity auditorium with the capacity for live streaming, digital capture and broadcasting ⦁ flexible multi-purpose rooms for education, conferencing and hospitality ⦁ foyer with informal opportunity for performance ⦁ café/bar with indoor and outdoor seating
The space has been skilfully re-imagined to create a world-class auditorium of exceptional acoustic quality in the heart of the city, retaining the 1000 capacity, while reducing the size of the proposed building.
The budget for the project remains at £75 million, with two-thirds of this being met by private philanthropy and fundraising. £35 million is being donated by Dunard Fund, and a fundraising campaign for a further £15 million has already received significant pledges.
As part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal the UK and Scottish Governments are each providing £10 million, and City of Edinburgh Council £5 million.
A variation to the planning application is being submitted this week. If planning permission is granted, construction will begin in 2022, with an estimated build length of 3 years.
As Edinburgh’s summer festivals begin in the Capital, the City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture Leaders have welcomed their return, though urge everyone to play their part for a safe, enjoyable August.
In preparation for the launch of the Art, Book, Fringe, Film and International Festivals, robust plans have been drawn up to allow their safe return. Council officers have worked closely with Festivals Edinburgh, the Summer Festivals, the Scottish Government, Event Scotland and other stakeholders to support the staging of programmes within the latest safety guidance.
Culture Leaders have also thanked all those who have made Edinburgh’s festivals possible in 2021, recognising teams from across the Council, from licensing, events, environmental health and public safety to roads teams, noise and waste services.
This is in close partnership with festival operators, the Scottish Government, NHS, Essential Edinburgh and the Emergency Services, who have collaborated to bring festivals back safely and with a new emphasis on outdoor venues.
Citywide planning began in February with the approach continuously updated and adapted to remain up to date with the latest clinical advice and guidance from the Scottish Government.
While Scotland will move out of COVID level 0 on Monday, festival-goers are being reminded that for this first weekend of celebrations level 0 restrictions will remain in place, and that they should continue to follow the guidance.
From Monday, everyone is still encouraged to take care, practice hand hygiene and give one another space, as well as observing mask-wearing rules.
While delighted to welcome the festivals back, safety has remained a priority for the Council. A wider, more detailed planning process has involved different Event Planning and Operation Group meetings for each festival, all feeding into a citywide forum for overview. This year venues will be spread throughout the city and while traditional venues are being used again, a range of exciting new settings will be brought to life this year.
As in previous years, joint inspections between the Council and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are now underway ensuring safety at all venues. Throughout the festivals, spot checks will take place as well as daily multi-agency meetings to ensure the safe continued running of the festival.
In addition to safety plans the Council is working with Fringe organisers, as always, to make sure the High Street is kept clean and well managed and would remind everyone that when they’re out and about to always bin litter or take it home.
This summer the Council has added 30 additional litter bins to parks and open spaces across the city, including BBQ bins at Inverleith, Portobello Beach and Leith Links. Additional public toilets have also been installed in six parks and new signage placed on 90+ litter bins in hotspot parks and waterside locations.
Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Donald Wilson said: “We’re incredibly proud to be known as the world’s Festival City and recognise the extremely positive contribution our festivals make to our lives, bringing the arts to Edinburgh in a way no other city on the planet enjoys.
“We are delighted see their return this year but want to assure citizens that public health remains a priority and all the Festivals have planned with this in mind. We’ve been working closely with all the organisers and our partners to ensure they can be enjoyed safely and would remind everyone to follow health advice and keep everyone safe. Please remember that for the first weekend of the festivals, we’re still in level 0 of the restrictions framework, so please observe the guidance in place.
“The city and events sector has responded to the crisis with determination and innovation with either hybrid models of delivery or the creation of outdoor/online programmes and whilst this year sees a much smaller offering it will be fantastic to see some of the buzz return to the city.”
Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, the City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture and Communities Vice Convener, said: “The return of live August festivals events and performances truly reflects our city’s ongoing recovery and, of course, our cultural DNA.
“There’s no doubt our festivals were greatly missed last year and it’s going to be fantastic to welcome back audiences and to those visiting we ask them to continue to follow the safety guidance and please enjoy this year’s offering safely.
“The planning for the festivals has been an enormous task especially under the ongoing pressures of the pandemic and I would like to thank all the teams and partner organisations who have worked together throughout to bring some of that festival magic back to the city this year.”
Centre for Cities: Planning and transport changes in cities would bring UK 26% closer to its target
Make it easier to build energy efficient low-rise flats and terraces in city centres and suburbs
Improve public transport and charge polluting drivers to halve urban car emissions
Encourage people to ditch their cars post-pandemic
The Government needs to press ahead with planning reform to meet its net zero target according to Centre for Cities’ research in partnership with HSBC UK.
Its campaign should begin in cities which, despite being big carbon emitters, have the best chance of leading the UK to net zero. The report finds that the right policies targeted in cities will being the UK a quarter of the way closer achieving a carbon neutral future.
Doing this this will require the Government to progress its planned reforms as the current system is a barrier to reaching net zero. They encourage housing development in isolated areas over better-connected inner-city and suburban brownfield sites.
Houses emit more carbon than flats, but they accounted for nearly eight in ten homes built in 2019 – an increase of 12 percentage points since 2013. Therefore, providing a more balanced mix of low-rise flats and terraced houses close to city centres would therefore help the UK reach net zero.
Building new homes centrally would also reduce car dependency. If the share of journeys made by public transport rose from one third to two thirds then urban carbon emissions would halve. Therefore, providing good public transport in all cities is essential to reaching net zero.
The number of people using public transport fell sharply during the pandemic and has not yet reached pre-Covid levels. Reaching net zero will be impossible while so many people continue to shun public transport in favour of cars. Policy makers therefore must encourage the public back onto public transport.
They should also introduce charges to disincentivise non-electric car usage and improve the public transport system in all cities. Doing these together could reduce total urban transport emissions by 87% by 2035.
The report argues that, to help cities reach net zero, the Government should:
Make it easier to build new energy efficient homes in city centres and suburbs.
Reintroduce the £2 billion Green Homes Scheme to retrofit existing homes. This would reduce carbon emissions by around 30% across England and Wales’ largest cities and towns.
And local government leaders should:
Improve public transport by bringing buses under public management
Introduce Clean Air Zones that charge drivers of the most polluting vehicles.
Encourage walking, cycling and public transport usage.
Centre for Cities’ Chief Executive Andrew Carter said:“The majority of people in the UK are based in our cities and largest towns. This means that changing the way that we live, work and move around them will be essential if we’re to reach net zero by 2050.
“Because 64% of the UK’s total carbon emissions come from homes and transport, it will be impossible to reach net zero without changes to our planning and transport systems. If the Government does these together it will help it reach its goals of becoming carbon neutral and levelling up.”
Ian Stuart, CEO of HSBC UK said:“This report shows the key role Britain’s town and cities, and decision-makers leading them, are going to play in helping the UK reach its net-zero ambitions.
“Consumers, businesses and local communities will need support from both central and local government if we’re going to make the big lifestyle changes needed over the coming years in the way we travel and in the way we build and heat our homes.
“There is a real opportunity to build a partnership between the public and private sectors to create the new solutions to meet the climate challenge and to open up new green opportunities for growth for small and medium sized businesses right across the country. HSBC UK stand ready to play our part in this partnership.”
