As part of our commitment to keep the community informed about the Craighouse development, we’ve been having a look at some of the companies involved. When Napier University released their press briefing on 25 March 2011, one company, LA&P  listed as one of the partners in the Craighouse Partnership was described as having “a wealth of experience in dealing with residential schemes being delivered amidst important heritage and listed buildings” and, we were told, “will oversee the plans for the site”.

You can see the full brief here.

However, we’ve been unable to find out any further information about LA&P and they seem to have disappeared from view.

We asked the Craighouse Partnership 3 simple questions:

• What do the initials LA&P stand for?
• Do they have a website we could visit ?
• Where are they based?

Clear enough, you’d have thought, right? Wrong. After 5 weeks of correspondence – we are no closer to finding out the mysterious identity of LA&P. Here, for your reading pleasure, is a flavour of the response:

Dear Mr McCall,
…I am not familiar with LA&P and wonder if you can provide any further Information…Do the initials LA&P stand for anything? Do they have a website I can visit? Where are they based?
26.09.11

“LA&P are no longer involved with the Craighouse Partnership. I’ve spoken to Kirstanne McDowall from Invicta PA, who are representing the consortium, and she’s going to send you an update.”
–  Patrick McFall, Media and Communications Officer, Napier University, 26.09.11

Dear Kirstanne,
I refer to the emails exchanged between myself and Patrick McFall. I wonder if you can update me please ?
   29.09.11

“LA&P are no longer part of the Craighouse Partnership. Sundial Properties will be overseeing plans for the site.”
– Kirstanne McDowall, Invicta PA, 29.09.11

Thank you for the reply. I am still interested in finding out a little about LA&P….
29.09.11

“Kirstanne has passed your request to me. LA&P are no longer involved in the project and haven’t been for some time. I hope this helps.”
– William Gray Muir, Sundial Properties (a member of the Craighouse Partnership ), 05.10.11

…thanks for your speedy response…I am still seeking answers to the initial questions posed, ie…Do the initials LA&P stand for anything? Do they have a website I can visit? Where are they based?”
05.10.11

20 days later….

 … I do hope you can help…
25.10.11

“LA&P were a residential land acquisition and planning specialist, who helped with the acquisition of Craighouse. We have already advised that LA&P are no longer involved in this project and there is nothing further we wish to add at this time. Please note that we will not be responding to any further emails from you regarding the question of LA&P.”
– William Gray Muir, Sundial Properties ( a member of the Craighouse Partnership ), 25.10.11

So, there you have it. 7 emails and 5 weeks later and we are no closer to finding out the answers to our three simple questions than we were 7 emails and 5 weeks ago.

We are not aware of any public briefing to explain LA&P’s withdrawal from the development. Even today, Mountgrange, the development company who have bought the site still state on their website that “The fund has partnered with LA&P“.

So, as the consortium plainly aren’t answering – we thought we’d launch a competition!

Who ARE LA&P?

Answers please in the comments below, or to: admin@friendsofcraighouse.com.

( NB – entries from Napier University, Invicta PA and Sundial Properties welcomed )

The winner gets a free flyer.