Elements Edinburgh
The Crosswind Developments site on Turnhouse Road lies close to the airport (it is after all the site of the former little used north-south runway), but it is also near the tram depot, and when eventually built it will have good public transport links with tram, train and bus nearby, and a bus route planned to run through the centre of the site – and mostly car-free streets. The “low parking” proposal will be based on 20 minute neighbourhood principles of living, working and daily activities situated within short distances of each other. Walking, wheeling and cycling will therefore be promoted.
The Gogar Roundabout, the entrance to Edinburgh Gateway and two new junctions from Myreton Drive are contemplated.
One of the interesting things learned on a site visit earlier this year is that this site – which lies adjacent to the furthest part of the Long Stay Car Park will eventually offer a walking route to the airport.
The 29.2 hectare brownfield site will, when approved, become home to a housing led new village which will include around 3,000 houses and apartments, a new primary school including early years provision, 50,000 square metres of office space, 5,300 square metres of retail, restaurant and café space with a well-being hub, 37,000 square feet of hotel space (probably two or three hotels or 1,020 hotel beds, landscaping, around 1,000 car parking spaces, roads, substations, footpaths and cycleways.
While the details have yet to be fleshed out, the buildings will be constructed on 22 plots with eight of those residential and no building will be higher than 74 metres maximum height.
This major development will be constructed in phases beginning with the south east of the site, but this will take a number of years to complete. While you might think that the site lying so close to the airport would be a noisy one, the developers have shown to the council that they have included sufficient measures to minimise noise from the airport and also the Royal Highland Showground. The report to the council planning committee explains: “The applicant has noted during the assessment in response to Environmental Protection comments that noise from the airport is not anticipated to cause unacceptable adverse effects on future residents since the site lies out with the runway noise contours where noise impact is greatest.”
One of the boundaries of the site is the Gogar Burn, and the developers plan to create a new park there to retain and improve the biodiversity of the area. SEPA have been consulted about the possibility of any diversion of the burn if necessary, and the body has said they welcome a “safeguarded route” for the burn.
The planning reference is 24/00523/PPP.
The planning meeting takes place next Wednesday 18 December at 10am when a proposal for converting a 1960s building into student flats at 10 Orchard Brae is recommended for refusal. The papers are here
Líam Rudden Heritage Talk at Festival Theatre – today at 5.30pm
Did you know that Cinderella was the first show at The King’s Theatre in 1906? Celebrate the history of Cinderella at the King’s, with an exploration of archive material, and stories from Liam Rudden’s experience as a writer, producer, and panto critic.
Líam Rudden (who writes reviews and also the theatre spread in our monthly newspaper) is an award-winning playwright, journalist, and theatre director and was, for 19 years, Arts and Entertainment Editor of the Edinburgh Evening News. Liam also has a passion for pantomime, writing and directing acclaimed local pantos for venues as diverse as The Alhambra, Dunfermline, and The MacArts Centre, Galashiels.
He was also resident writer and director of The Brunton’s East Lothian pantomime for six years. Now, with more than 40 years experience working across the media and in theatre, he is a much sought after commentator on theatre, entertainment and many other related topics. You can read all his theatre reviews on www.mustseetheatre.com
Capital Theatres’ Heritage Talks offer new ways to engage with what’s on stage. From the history of the shows to the themes explored and the role our theatres have played across time, these conversations are a wonderful way to compliment your visit.
Tickets here
Our Town Stories
Explore more history on Our Town Stories run by Edinburgh Libraries.
Library staff do more than stamp books in and out of libraries… they have been out and about photographing physical remnants from 1100 to 1700 showing where history is still visible in the capital.
A spokesperson said: “This year marks 900 years since Edinburgh became a burgh. In 1124, King David I introduced a new system of local government into Scotland by creating royal burghs as part of his efforts to reform the nation’s economic and political structures. Edinburgh was one of his first royal burghs, along with Berwick, Dunfermline, Roxburgh and Stirling.
“In celebration of this, we’ve extended the timeline on Our Town Stories, so you can now explore Edinburgh’s history all the way back to 1100! Discover new additions on the interactive map of Edinburgh from colleagues in the Archaeology Service and from Museums and Galleries’ and Archives’ collections.”
Rettie & Co branching out
Rettie & Co the estate agents based in the city centre have announced they will be opening a new branch in Morningside. Rettie Edinburgh South, will be their new branch in the heart of Edinburgh South “offering expertise in Sales, Lettings, and Financial Services, we’re here to provide a seamless, comprehensive approach to your property needs”.
Visitor Levy consultation ends on 15 December
The council has agreed to implement the new visitor levy enabled by Scottish Government legislation.
Now it is running a consultation – which you can read here.
The consultation ends on 15 December and to have your say on how the estimated £50 million will be spent access the page at the link above.
“The City of Edinburgh Council is thinking about introducing a visitor levy. We want to hear your views on our draft scheme.
“Councils in Scotland have new powers to introduce a visitor levy in their local area. These powers come from new laws in the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024.
“Cities around the world already have visitor levies. These cities include Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, New York, Kyoto and Dubai. If Edinburgh introduced such a levy, the money raised must be used towards facilities mainly used by or for visitors. This could also help make local facilities and services better. Local culture, events and festivals could also benefit. We could also use the money to manage visitors and promote the city responsibly.”
The Cockburn Association has already replied to the consultation. A spokesperson said: “We believe that the levy is a great opportunity to improve the City of Edinburgh for its resident population, mitigating the impacts of mass tourism in the city. The funds should be aligned to enhance attributes which entice visitors to the city, namely its heritage and landscape qualities as well as improve the amenity of public assets such as greenspaces and cultural attractions, which would benefit visitors and residents alike.
In general, we support the three main objectives to the proposed Visitor Levy scheme in Edinburgh:
1. To sustain, support and develop public services, programmes and infrastructure;
2. To sustain, support and develop Edinburgh’s culture, heritage and festivals provision;
3. To sustain, support and develop the city’s visitor economy and to promote sustainable tourism.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
