20mph conference in Edinburgh today
It is a while since Edinburgh introduced its first 20mph zone, and today there will be a conference at the City Chambers to discuss how to roll this out to the rest of the country.
Keynote speaker the Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop will speak about plans for the way this strategy can be implemented. The 20’s Plenty for Scotland Conference will have a keynote address on 20mph implementation decisions. With the Scottish Government already pledging that “all appropriate roads in built up areas will have a safer speed limit of 20 mph by 2025”, the Minister will announce how Scotland will deliver on its commitment. This will be supported by a presentation from Transport Scotland.
Eyre Place Lane development
Councillors refused unanimously two applications by CA Ventures for purpose built student accommodation and townhouses on an empty site at Eyre Place Lane following a hearing which was three hours long.
This is the second time that the developer has made applications for planning permission on the former Jewsons site, the first two having been refused by the Government Reporter on appeal. This time, even though the number of storeys was reduced, bed spaces reduced by three and two townhouses scrapped, there were even more objections – around 450 in all – than the first time when residents did not get the opportunity to have their say. The developers went straight to the Scottish Government Reporter when it became clear to them that the council had failed to decide the applications within relevant time limits.
It was clear from discussion during the meeting that councillors felt the developers had not addressed issues raised by the Government Reporter, and nor had they addressed any of the matters raised by residents. As well as this in light of the recent declaration of a housing emergency by the council these applications did not provide for “sufficient residential housing”.
Residents were represented by Hannah and Chris Edwards and Scott Baxter. Hannah explained some of the shortcomings of the applications. She said: “There’s been a history of major errors in every daylight study submitted by the applicant.
“In the previous application, existing buildings were removed to run the calculations. This was exposed as the data showed many residential windows receiving more daylight in the shadow of the proposed 6-storey block. The study had to be corrected and resubmitted.”
There was also an objection on the grounds of privacy and noise. Chris said: “It’s clearly the wrong location to have two large roof terraces designed for socialising at both ends of the development, so close to many homes. Noise at a higher level travels and so any noise nuisance would be far-reaching. There are 159 flats and townhouses within 70m of the roof terraces.”
The fact that the development was made up entirely of studio flats and not cluster (or shared) flats was also a concern for councillors.
Convener Hal Osler who runs these meetings to very tight time limits said she struggled to approve the application. Cllr Osler said: “I don’t think there is acceptable amenity and I also have concern about the liveable space in the area as well in terms of the reduction of space in the lane and what is needed to fit these things in, and whether that is suitable.”
Cllr Chas Booth said: “What we have heard from residents is that they are keen to see development on this site – but appropriate development, development that meets the needs of the communities, and also complies with our Local Development Plan. Unfortunately I think that this application before us does neither of those things. So I would appeal to the developers, please go away and listen to the local community, listen to their concerns and come back with an application that meets the needs of the local community while also complying with our Local Development Plan, and we will look on it a lot more favourably.”
And former Planning Convener, Cllr Neil Gardner, said: “It does seem difficult to support the application in its current form.”
During their presentation Paul Scott of Scott Hobbs who represents the student housing developer said that if the council keeps on rejecting this kind of applications for student housing – “but it is a form of housing, then that housing emergency will not go away any time soon”.
Watch the webcast of the meeting here.
Culture and Communities Committee
Today the council’s Culture and Communities Committee meets at the City Chambers. Anyone can attend the meeting or watch online. The papers are here.The matters to be discussed are wide-ranging.
Gorgie City Farm update
EVOC is coordinating the possible revival of the Gorgie Farm Site and have just completed Phase One of a consultation to which they received more than 400 responses.
They also conducted some guided walks round the site followed by conversations around the questions posed in the survey.
A spokesperson said: “We are developing an opportunity for children at Dalry Primary School to participate in the consultation. This will happen in the New Year and will link with Phase Two.
“We will continue engagement opportunities through December whilst analysing the responses. We will hope to share a summary report Christmas.”
The questions included in the consultation were:
- What would make you come to the farm? (For example, this could include specific activities, events, festivals, talks, classes, educational opportunities, facilities, etc)
- What facilities would you like to see? (For example, this could include toilets, cafe, internet/WIFI access.
- What activities would you like to see? (For example, this could include gardening, yoga, exercise, cooking, classes, tours, walks, etc)
- What would make you stay for a longer period? (For example, this could include activities, activities, facilities, cafe, seating, shelters, etc)
- Would you pay to support it? (For example, this could include an optional donation, membership scheme, if yes please indicate how much you would feel is an appropriate amount/fee
- What do you think the community needs?
- Could you help us? How would you like to get involved and support the farm or work with us?
Phase Two of the consultation will be conducted in January/February 2024.
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
