Planning Issues 2006

by Alison Gordon, Pippa Leary
Marian McIntyre
Bryan Wade
(reprinted from The Inverleith News, Spring 2007)

A major application which has had an impact on Inverleith has been the Trinity Park House development, where permission for 256 flats was granted in March 2006 (demolition of the office block has begun). Some concern has been felt about the Tanfield Standard Life premises: redevelopment seemed possible at one stage, but it is now understood that they have been sold and will continue in office use. There have also been numerous applications for minor developments, such as French windows, small house extensions, conservatories, etc. One controversial proposal for a mews house development in Inverleith Terrace Lane is still awaiting a decision.

Bangholm Terrace
Permission was granted last year for 21 flats within the Heriot’s playing fields, in spite of local objections to the proposal. These will be entered off Bangholm Terrace and the residents of Homescott and Homecairn regret the loss of their views of the castle and Arthur’s Seat (unfortunately loss of view is not a recognized category of Planning objection). Cala Homes have no firm starting date, but it is not envisaged before the autumn.

Citadel House, 50-52 East Fettes Avenue
Once the headquarters of Salvesens, the logistics company, this vacant, low-rise, office block near the junction of Inverleith Place and East Fettes Avenue is a rather forlorn sight. In 2005 the Society responded to a proposed residential redevelopment expressing concerns of over-development. The Society felt that five four-storey blocks of flats plus 12 townhouses was too much on too small a site. There were also concerns about the use of render and flat roofs: neither of those elements being typical of the Inverleith conservation area. At time of going to press this site remains unchanged.

7 Inverleith Row
This handsome detached house, formerly known as Arboretum House, stands at the southern side of the East Gate of the Botanic Garden. In 2004 it ceased to be a single family house. Now, after three years and a lot of hard work from a variety of European workers it has become Heritor’s Residence, five upmarket flats for short term lets. As an illustration of how living patterns change; one flat has been created out of the original drawing room space and the billiard room (valued by locals as Rachael’s cafe) has become the living room for another flat. In planning terms the developer was allowed considerable leeway, it would appear, in internal alterations to a listed building.

37 Inverleith Place
As we go to press this house, owned by the Art College, is for sale, and an application for Planning Permission is expected imminently. The developers are discussing their plans with the neighbours and responding to their comments. The Committee will peruse the application when it is submitted.

Skateboard Park Proposal
Your Committee held a wide range of opinions occasioning much discussion at Committee meetings, but we were also aware that we should reflect the views of the membership, some of whom would be strongly opposed to the proposal. The Society submitted formal objections relating to planning law and concerns about maintenance and supervision. The proposal was finally rejected at a meeting of the Planning Committee on 22 November 2006.
The article on page 10 is Bernard Kuenssberg’s personal view, motivated by a desire to see improved facilities for young people in the park.

Inverleith Park Masterplan
The revised proposals for the Skateboard Park included reference to an ‘Inverleith Park Masterplan’ of 2003, with a tiny illustration but no text or explanation. The Inverleith Society had not been consulted about this, and when we asked to see a copy we were told that it was an internal ‘working document’ and ‘not made available for public comment’. It appears that various recent improvements were included, e.g. the changes to the west end of the pond and the reorganisation of the Rose Garden, and that these had been discussed with the ‘Friends of Inverleith Park’, but not with ourselves. We have written to ask that consultations be extended to include ourselves and the Stockbridge and Inverleith Community Council in future.

Inverleith Conservation Area Character Appraisal
A conservation area is defined by the Planning Act of 1997 as an ‘area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’. Inverleith, which fully meets those criteria, is one of 38 conservation areas in Edinburgh.
In order to monitor the preservation and enhancement of the conservation districts the City prepares character appraisals and periodically these need updating. In April 2006 the Society contributed detailed comments to the revision of the Inverleith character appraisal and is pleased to see that most of its comments were accepted and incorporated. In terms of preservation the residents seem to be doing a pretty good job. In terms of enhancement, however, the Society has concerns about the quality of the new building going up in Inverleith.
The full character appraisal can be found on the City’s website: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/planning. It makes for more interesting reading than you might think.

RBGE West Gate Project
In November 2006 the Scottish Executive announced that it was to contribute an additional sum of money to the Royal Botanic Garden West Gate project to add to its contribution already made in June 2006. This means that the amount of money raised from organisations has now very nearly reached the required level to allow a campaign to raise funds from the public to go forward. Thus the organisers of this exciting project can feel confident that it will reach fruition. Hopefully, this time next year we shall be able to report that work will soon start on what will raise even further the status of our garden.

Alison Gordon
Pippa Leary
Marian McIntyre
Bryan Wade

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