DEADLINE: 21st December

It’s not hard to object – the easiest is probably to just drop a quick email to Emma Wilson:

• Email planner Emma Wilson at: emma.wilson@edinburgh.gov.uk

Otherwise:

• Write to: Head of Planning, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street
  EH8 8BG
• Use the Edinburgh Planning Portal online at: https://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk  .Find Simple Search  put in the application number: 12/04007/FUL and it will come up. Click on “log in” and follow instructions and write your comments.

Remember: put the planning reference no: 12/04007/FUL  address: Napier Campus  Craighouse  as well as your name, address and the date.

WHAT TO WRITE

Just express your opinion in your own words on why you object. If you can include some of the material planning considerations that we have set out below – it will have more power in planning terms.

SIMPLE OBJECTION

Example of a simple objection:

‘I would like to object to the development at Craighouse (12/04007/FUL). The newbuild development goes against planning policy and is against The Edinburgh Local Plan. [name and address]’

MATERIAL PLANNING OBJECTIONS

1. Contrary to Policy: Contrary to the Edinburgh Local Plan and other Scottish Gov planning policies.

2. Excessive & Unjustified New Build Sprawl: the site is heavily protected for its beauty, historic significance, and support of wildlife. They should not be putting new-build across it.

3. Ruining Setting of Grade-A Listed Buildings: the new build spoils the setting of the existing Grade-A listed buildings. Old Craig will be obscured by a housing estate and New Craig and the villas dominated by blocks. The site’s character as a city landmark will be spoilt from viewpoints around the city.

4. The Character of the Conservation Area will be Spoilt. The Craighouse site is a significant part of the character of the area – epitomises the Craiglockhart conservation character appraisal, which talks of Victorian buildings against dramatic landscape backdrops. The amount and style of new build is out of keeping with the listed buildings and surrounding area and highly detrimental to the character of the conservation area.

5. Public Amenity: The public will lose their much-loved open space, beautiful woodland and views. Areas where children play football will be destroyed, along with open parkland and many traditional walks. The high numbers of traffic and more roads will make it less safe, peaceful and natural.

6. Loss of Open Space. Craighouse is not designated for housing in the Local Plan and is a highly protected site of Open Space. Edinburgh Council are obliged to protect Open Space whether publicly or privately owned. So, according to policy, Craighouse should not be built on.

7. Craighouse is an Area of Great Landscape Value and Nature Conservation Site. These plans do not enhance the landscape – quite the contrary: they destroy the landscape character.

8. Local Traffic and Parking: 323+ extra vehicles will cause congestion on local roads already at capacity.

9. Cars/Parking onsite: roads/car-parks for 323 cars will turn green Open Space to tarmac against policy. This plus the traffic on site will spoil the character of the site, contrary to the conservation area policy.

10. Schooling: the new residential development will create an unsustainable strain on local schools, for which there is no possibility of enlargement (even with further funding, which is rarely sufficient from any new developments).

11. Flooding on Balcarres St: The extra car-parks and buildings will lead to increased flood-risk.

12. Trees: the plans see significant removal of mature trees and woodland, protected in a Conservation Area

13. Wildlife: The site is the habitat of local wildlife and the development proposal areas are the habitat of protected species such as bats and badgers. As a Local Biodiversity Site, the wildlife should be especially protected here.

14. Views and Skyline: The proposals will spoil the spectacular views into and out of the site. Protected views from the orchard to the castle will be foregrounded by sprawling housing estate with more housing ruining the views to the East. Views from outside of the site (such as from Blackford Hill or Arthur’s Seat) will be spoilt with new buildings obscuring or overwhelming the current Grade A listed buildings.

15. Precedent: This amount of new-build is in contravention of the Local Plan, the numerous protections and policies creates a dangerous precedent for Edinburgh’s other historic sites and green spaces.

REMEMBER:   Write to the Council Planners by letter, email or by the Planning Portal and object to application number:  12/04007/FUL by the 21st of December.

Thanks so much!

[IMPORTANT NOTE: FOR HOW TO OBJECT AND SAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL SITE -GO HERE]

William Gray Muir and The Craighouse Partnership have been trying to claim the planning dept accept their financial case, in letters sent to the local community, and again, in last Friday’s packed Public Meeting arranged by Morningside Community Council.

Today, a letter from the planners to Montagu Evans, the Craighouse Partnership’s agent, which is public on the planning portal states that this is not the case in no uncertain terms:

“There are also a number of inaccurate statements. In the Planning Statement paragraph 5.35 you state that “…The various tests for the enabling development have been met and are accepted by the Planning Authority and Knight Frank LLP”. This is factually incorrect. No agreement has been reached in respect of any element of the proposal”

Indeed, it adds:

“It is noted that your application is not accompanied by any form of financial assessment”

The letter goes on to detail other deficiencies in The Craighouse Partnership’s application, such as off-site views:

“Off site views – I have tested a sample of the off site views submitted and consider the quality of the images are inaccurate and not representative of how the site is read by the human eye.”

Drawings:

“Drawing information – In general the drawings submitted are incomplete for an application of this size, and do not represent a coordinated set of information for the site and individual development areas.”

To be put on the ridge above Meadowspot

Landscape Setting:

“There is no assessment of landscape setting of the buildings”

The Conservation Plan:

“There is conflicting information in the executive summary and key conclusion of character assessment. The document also contains conflicting information in relation to how many sites could be developed with ‘discrete development’”

And, importantly, the Environmental Impact Assessment:

“The EIA submitted with the application is not considered to be a competent document…Overall it is considered that the information has not been presented in a clear, comprehensive and objective manner.”

“Drawings within the non- technical summary are not legible.”

“No mitigation measures have been put forward for the proposals – generic statements relating to good design, additional tree planting etc. contained within Table 5.6 are not acceptable.”

“the EIA does not show an accurate interpretation of what trees will be retained on the site which consequently will impact on the visual analysis.”

“The assessment of the Edinburgh Skyline Study is incomplete.”

Then, we come to the Enabling Development case,  about which the letter says:

“Your Planning Statement makes reference to policy criteria a – g, setting out your case in paragraph 5.31.  Your response to these criteria is considered weak at best and wholly lacking in other areas.”

The letter reminds The Craighouse Partnership of the English Heritage Guidelines on Enabling Development that say that the financial case must be made public.

The letter finishes:

“Clearly I am disappointed that this application is incomplete. I have attempted to identify the deficiencies and inaccuracies in your submission to assist you in submitted the required information.”

This is just some of the letter. It is on the portal as correspondence – last item on documents presently if you want to read the whole thing. The question why The Craighouse Partnership has submitted such a poor application remains to be answered.

Reminder SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING ON CRAIGHOUSE chaired by MP Ian Murray and involving politicians from all the parties is on TODAY

FRIDAY 7th December at 7pm

St PETER’s PRIMARY SCHOOL, Falcon Road

This is a public meeting with politicians present and a chance to let your elected representatives hear your view. Open to all!

Organized by Morningside Community Council.

NOTE

We will repost this every few days to the top of the blog for people to view. Just to note that we have been receiving a lot of reports of the portal being down, difficult to use or not working properly. I have written to Councillors asking if it can be investigated and I hope that they can look into it. Please don’t be put off if you do encounter any problems. We provide a number of ways to object – and the easiest might be to email direct to Emma Wilson. Please make sure that whatever method you choose you get an acknowledgement that your comment has been received. Thanks so much!

HOW TO OBJECT – INSTRUCTIONS
You can object using one of the following methods:

• Email the planner in charge: emma.wilson@edinburgh.gov.uk
• Write to: Head of Planning, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street  
  EH8 8BG
• Use the Edinburgh Planning Portal online at: https://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk
  Find  Simple Search  put in the application number: 12/04007/FUL and it will come up. 
• Click on log in and follow instructions and write your comments.

Remember: put the planning reference no: 12/04007/FUL  address: Napier Campus  Craighouse  as well as your name, address and the date.

DEADLINE: 21st December

This is the reference no for the planning permission – there are two other reference numbers for the Listed Building Consent and consent to knock down the Learning Resource Centre, which makes things confusing. 12/04007/FUL is the one if you are particularly concerned about the new-build. The others are also on the portal to view and comment on with an earlier deadline of 14th Dec.

WHAT TO WRITE

This doesn’t have to be written like a solicitor’s letter, just express your opinion in your own words on why the development should not be allowed. But if you can include some of the following material planning considerations– it will have more power as it is material planning considerations that the planners must consider. The following set cover most of the issues that people talk to us about.

For example the housing estate across the woodland, green space, entrance, carpark and encroaching up the lawn is Contrary to the Local Plan – it is Loss of Open Space in a Conservation Area and the Open Space should be preserved – it destroys the setting of Old Craig – a Grade-A listed building held in great affection, removing traditional views of it from the entrance and across the site. It also obscures Old Craig as a landmark in views from the Braids and Blackford Hill and outwith the site. The extent and style of this housing development is out of keeping with the Conservation Area, Old Craig itself and the buildings outwith the site. It ruins the character of the Conservation Area. This housing estate also removes amenity as it is where kids play and where people walk and enjoy views of the listed buildings. There would also be a loss of trees that should be protected in a Conservation Area. The woodland edge is a particularly rich habitat and this housing estate would ruin habitat and destroy wildlife. So, you can see how a large number of material planning objections are in this para alone because the site is so special according to the policies, Conservation Area Appraisal and the Local Plan.

MATERIAL PLANNING OBJECTIONS

1. Contrary to Policy: Contrary to the Edinburgh Local Plan and other Scottish Gov planning policies.

2. Excessive & Unjustified New Build Sprawl: the site is heavily protected for its beauty, historic significance, and support of wildlife. They should not be putting new-build across it.

3. Ruining Setting of Grade-A Listed Buildings: the new build spoils the setting of the existing Grade-A listed buildings. Old Craig will be obscured by a housing estate and New Craig and the villas dominated by blocks. The site’s character as a city landmark will be spoilt from viewpoints around the city.

4. The Character of the Conservation Area will be Spoilt. The Craighouse site is a significant part of the character of the area – epitomises the Craiglockhart conservation character appraisal, which talks of Victorian buildings against dramatic landscape backdrops. The amount and style of new build is out of keeping with the listed buildings and surrounding area and highly detrimental to the character of the conservation area.

5. Public Amenity: The public will lose their much-loved open space, beautiful woodland and views. Areas where children play football will be destroyed, along with open parkland and many traditional walks. The high numbers of traffic and more roads will make it less safe, peaceful and natural.

6. Loss of Open Space. Craighouse is not designated for housing in the Local Plan and is a highly protected site of Open Space. Edinburgh Council are obliged to protect Open Space whether publicly or privately owned. So, according to policy, Craighouse should not be built on.

7. Craighouse is an Area of Great Landscape Value and Nature Conservation Site. These plans do not enhance the landscape – quite the contrary: they destroy the landscape character.

8. Local Traffic and Parking: 323+ extra vehicles will cause congestion on local roads already at capacity.

9. Cars/Parking onsite: roads/car-parks for 323 cars will turn green Open Space to tarmac against policy. This plus the traffic on site will spoil the character of the site, contrary to the conservation area policy.

10. Schooling: the new residential development will create an unsustainable strain on local schools, for which there is no possibility of enlargement (even with further funding, which is rarely sufficient from any new developments).

11. Flooding on Balcarres St: The extra car-parks and buildings will lead to increased flood-risk. This is also a risk for Meadowspot.

12. Trees: the plans see significant removal of mature trees and woodland, protected in a Conservation Area

13. Wildlife: The site is the habitat of local wildlife and the development proposal areas are the habitat of protected species such as bats and badgers. As a Local Biodiversity Site, the wildlife should be especially protected here.

14. Views and Skyline: The proposals will spoil the spectacular views into and out of the site. Protected views from the orchard to the castle will be foregrounded by sprawling housing estate with more housing ruining the views to the East. Views from outside of the site (such as from Blackford Hill or Arthur’s Seat) will be spoilt with new buildings obscuring or overwhelming the current Grade A listed buildings.

15. Precedent: This amount of new-build is in contravention of the Local Plan, the numerous protections and policies creates a dangerous precedent for Edinburgh’s other historic sites and green spaces.

REMEMBER:   Write to the Council Planners by letter, email or by the Planning Portal and object to application number:  12/04007/FUL by the 21st of December.  Remember, this is the important reference number for the new build. (The Listed building consent has a deadline of the 14th Dec if you want to look at that also – it’s on the portal.)

Thanks so much!

There are so many policies this development contravenes that we will be putting up more stuff as the month goes along, if anyone wants to include more details in their objections.

On Tuesday night,  27 Nov, a packed meeting organised by Craiglockhart Community Council brought to the fore overwhelming local anger over the recent planning application submitted by The Craighouse Partnership for the redevelopment of Craighouse Campus.

Everything these days seems to be recorded “live as it happens” on Twitter and this meeting was no different, the first tweets being posted just as the meeting started:

  “At Craiglockhart Community Council meeting, where objections to proposed development of Craighouse Campus will be heard. Around 200 here”.

The local interest was clearly intense with an attendance probably 10 times or more that of an average Craiglockhart meeting.  In another early tweet, local councillor Gavin Corbett noted

“Very big turnout for Craiglockhart Community Council tonight to discuss #Craighouse”.

Craiglockhart Community Council had rightly billed the meeting with the promise “We want to inform you as residents of the proposals and in turn receive feedback from you so that we can onward report your collective views to the City Council” . They certainly received feedback, and the collective views of those who attended should provide a powerful message for the community council to report on to the City Council.

These newbuild blocks would take out woodland

“like university of Milton Keynes in 1988”

A representative from Edinburgh’s Civic Trust, The Cockburn Association, Euan Leitch, was invited to speak and explain the planning proposals. One of the primary objectives of the Cockburn is:

“the protection and preservation of the City’s landscape and historic and architectural heritage”

and with their remit and knowledge and experience of historic and heritage sites, they were a good choice to present the plans. Euan Leitch’s task was not an easy one to carry out without showing bias for or against, but it was pretty much appreciated that a balanced explanation was achieved and the format of having an outside independent yet knowledgeable individual there to answer questions was a very good call by The Craiglockhart Community Council.

Murmurs of discontent over the plans were audible throughout the presentation, particularly as maps of the proposed areas for new build flashed across the screen and also when the images of the new buildings were displayed.

Dave Owen tweeted with astonishment that:

The “Boilerhouse Villas” to be put on the ridge above Meadowspot

“The developers’ rendered images of what they want to do with #Craighouse make it look like the University of Milton Keynes in 1988”.

In a key moment, there were gasps around the room as the audience saw the 8 storey tower block proposed for the top of the site. Local Councillor Gavin Corbett tweeted:

“Sharp intake of breath at Craiglockhart CC when local residents see new mini-tower block planned for highest point of #Craighouse”

Then, it was onto questions and comments from the residents and they didn’t hold back. Residents voiced deep concern over the precedent that was being set for other protected sites in Edinburgh. Euan replied that although planners will say there is not a precedent, that developers would always argue on precedent.

People were concerned about The Craighouse Partnership’s dereliction threats. Someone from the floor said that this was a nonsense and that Edinburgh City Council has the power to force the owners to maintain the existing buildings to avoid this sort of scenario. Euan Leitch agreed that Edinburgh Council does indeed have such powers. Another resident said that the Council should be pressured to do this.

There was deep worry from residents that there was a very real risk that the development could go ahead and not complete – leaving not just the fear of dereliction but risk of dereliction plus a ruined building site with restricted access into the bargain. Journalist Joanna Blythman warned that Craighouse could repeat Quartermile’s situation – old buildings derelict and empty new flats.

Another resident brought up the issue of the 2 metre high metal mesh fence through the woodland – “like a prison”.

Another resident said it looked like a speculative bid that had just been pushed through.

“What trumps conservation?” one resident asked. (As Dave Owen tweeted: ““Trump” is perhaps a loaded verb in this country”)

MSP Alison Johnstone wanted to know about cars and carparking – where are the 323 car-parking spaces going to go? Where is the commitment to bicycles and public transport – the car-parking alone would completely alter the nature of this beautiful site.

Of everyone who spoke at the meeting – all, except for one person, spoke out strongly against the plans.

Twice, there was a call for a vote to be taken. But this opportunity was turned down by the Chair.

But the conclusion was unavoidable.

“The Craiglockhart CC mtg this eve was lively as anticipated” tweeted Council Leader, Andrew Burns, diplomatically.

“Much opposition to loss of this protected site,” tweeted MSP Alison Johnstone.

But it was left to Councillor Gavin Corbett who summed it all up:

“Well that was pretty clear-cut. At Craiglockhart CC packed meeting on #Craighouse only one resident spoke in favour of the plans”

Old Craig through the apple tree. The setting of Old Craig would be ruined by these plans and this tree would be chopped down along with many others.

The Craiglockhart community does not accept these plans. It’s now up to Craiglockhart Community Council to represent the community view to the Council.

We will keep reposting this to hit the top of the website every few days so people can see it. Here is a reminder of just what we are fighting for:

IMPORTANT: HOW TO OBJECT
You can object using one of the following methods:

• Email the planner in charge: emma.wilson@edinburgh.gov.uk
• Write to: Head of Planning, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street  
  EH8 8BG
• Use the Edinburgh Planning Portal online at: https://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk
  Find  Simple Search  put in the application number: 12/04007/FUL and it will come up. 
• Click on log in and follow instructions and write your comments.

Remember: put the planning reference no: 12/04007/FUL  address: Napier Campus  Craighouse  as well as your name, address and the date.

DEADLINE: 21st December

This is the reference no for the planning permission – there are two other reference numbers for the Listed Building Consent and consent to knock down the Learning Resource Centre, which makes things confusing. 12/04007/FUL is the one if you are particularly concerned about the new-build. The others are also on the portal to view and comment on with an earlier deadline of 14th Dec.

WHAT TO WRITE

This doesn’t have to be written like a solicitor’s letter, just express your opinion in your own words on why the development should not be allowed. But if you can include some of the following material planning considerations– it will have more power as it is material planning considerations that the planners must consider. The following set cover most of the issues that people talk to us about.

For example the housing estate across the woodland, green space, entrance, carpark and encroaching up the lawn is Contrary to the Local Plan – it is Loss of Open Space in a Conservation Area and the Open Space should be preserved – it destroys the setting of Old Craig – a Grade-A listed building held in great affection, removing traditional views of it from the entrance and across the site. It also obscures Old Craig as a landmark in views from the Braids and Blackford Hill and outwith the site. The extent and style of this housing development is out of keeping with the Conservation Area, Old Craig itself and the buildings outwith the site. It ruins the character of the Conservation Area. This housing estate also removes amenity as it is where kids play and where people walk and enjoy views of the listed buildings. There would also be a loss of trees that should be protected in a Conservation Area. The woodland edge is a particularly rich habitat and this housing estate would ruin habitat and destroy wildlife. So, you can see how a large number of material planning objections are in this para alone because the site is so special according to the policies, Conservation Area Appraisal and the Local Plan.

MATERIAL PLANNING OBJECTIONS

1. Contrary to Policy: Contrary to the Edinburgh Local Plan and other Scottish Gov planning policies.

2. Excessive & Unjustified New Build Sprawl: the site is heavily protected for its beauty, historic significance, and support of wildlife. They should not be putting new-build across it.

3. Ruining Setting of Grade-A Listed Buildings: the new build spoils the setting of the existing Grade-A listed buildings. Old Craig will be obscured by a housing estate and New Craig and the villas dominated by blocks. The site’s character as a city landmark will be spoilt from viewpoints around the city.

4. The Character of the Conservation Area will be Spoilt. The Craighouse site is a significant part of the character of the area – epitomises the Craiglockhart conservation character appraisal, which talks of Victorian buildings against dramatic landscape backdrops. The amount and style of new build is out of keeping with the listed buildings and surrounding area and highly detrimental to the character of the conservation area.

5. Public Amenity: The public will lose their much-loved open space, beautiful woodland and views. Areas where children play football will be destroyed, along with open parkland and many traditional walks. The high numbers of traffic and more roads will make it less safe, peaceful and natural.

6. Loss of Open Space. Craighouse is not designated for housing in the Local Plan and is a highly protected site of Open Space. Edinburgh Council are obliged to protect Open Space whether publicly or privately owned. So, according to policy, Craighouse should not be built on.

7. Craighouse is an Area of Great Landscape Value and Nature Conservation Site. These plans do not enhance the landscape – quite the contrary: they destroy the landscape character.

8. Local Traffic and Parking: 323+ extra vehicles will cause congestion on local roads already at capacity.

9. Cars/Parking onsite: roads/car-parks for 323 cars will turn green Open Space to tarmac against policy. This plus the traffic on site will spoil the character of the site, contrary to the conservation area policy.

10. Schooling: the new residential development will create an unsustainable strain on local schools, for which there is no possibility of enlargement (even with further funding, which is rarely sufficient from any new developments).

11. Flooding on Balcarres St: The extra car-parks and buildings will lead to increased flood-risk.

12. Trees: the plans see significant removal of mature trees and woodland, protected in a Conservation Area

13. Wildlife: The site is the habitat of local wildlife and the development proposal areas are the habitat of protected species such as bats and badgers. As a Local Biodiversity Site, the wildlife should be especially protected here.

14. Views and Skyline: The proposals will spoil the spectacular views into and out of the site. Protected views to the castle will be foregrounded by sprawling housing estate with more housing ruining the views to the East. Views from outside of the site (such as from Blackford Hill or Arthur’s Seat) will be spoilt with new buildings obscuring or overwhelming the current Grade A listed buildings.

15. Precedent: This amount of new-build is in contravention of the Local Plan, the numerous protections and policies creates a dangerous precedent for Edinburgh’s other historic sites and green spaces.

REMEMBER:   Write to the Council Planners by letter, email or by the Planning Portal and object to application number:  12/04007/FUL by the 21st of December.

Thanks so much!

We will put this on a special page on the website, for reference, for the next month. There are so many policies this development contravenes that we will be putting up more stuff as the month goes along, if anyone wants to include more details.

We have posted up full details of how to object and material planning considerations here for people to make their objections be listened to. Go to link here:

https://friendsofcraighouse.com/2012/11/22/how-to-make-your-objection/

The application for Craighouse contains views of the site from around Edinburgh, showing the impact of the development on the views. Yet, somehow, they manage to miss out Craighouse from almost all the images. Sometimes, the pictures are so wide-angle and so low resolution, that Craighouse is too small to see. But sometimes, the views are taken from some … odd … locations.

For example, the dramatic building against the woodland is highly visible along Myreside – I see it from the car and walking along, all the time. Here is just a quick snap of Craighouse from Myreside that I took yesterday with my camera phone. Hmm. It definitely seems to be there:

View of Craighouse from Myreside

Here is the view of Craighouse from Myreside as put in the developer’s planning application. Whoops. Craighouse has disappeared. Would it help if they took a few steps down the road?

View of Craighouse from Myreside according to The Craighouse Partnership

I’m not sure what anyone reading the views analysis from the Craighouse Partnership in their planning application is supposed to make of it.

CRAIGHOUSE DEVELOPMENT – Please Help Us Save this Special Site by  Objecting to Excessive “Scheme 3”

Thanks so much for all your support so far. It’s really important to object again even if you have already objected to the previous schemes so that we can achieve a positive future for this site. Please do it today – don’t forget. The Council have said this application will go to a decision this time – we hope so.

The Craighouse Partnership’s (Mountgrange, Napier University and Sundial Properties) excessive and ugly plans provoked the largest number of objections ever seen by Edinburgh planning department for a single application. Thousands wrote in to object to excessive newbuild against policy on this protected site – one of only 8 Areas of Great Landscape Value in the whole Edinburgh area (others include: Arthur’s Seat, Silverknowes Sands, Botanics and the Hermitage of Braid).

IMPORTANT: HOW TO OBJECT

Quote:  Planning Ref No: 12/04007/SCH3

You can object using one of the following methods:

• Email the planner in charge: emma.wilson@edinburgh.gov.uk
• Write to: Head of Planning, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street  
  EH8 8BG
• Use the Edinburgh Planning Portal online at: https://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk
  Find  Simple Search  put in the application number: 12/04007/SCH3 and it will come up. Click on log in and follow instructions and write your comments. We recommend also sending your objection to councilors, so email is probably easier.
  

Remember: put the planning reference no: 12/04007/SCH3 address: Napier Campus  Craighouse  as well as your name, address and the date.

Example Quick Objection:

“Ref:12/04007/SCH3Craighouse Campus

Dear Emma Wilson

“I object to Scheme 3 (ref: 12/04007/SCH3). This is not a real enabling development and contravenes planning policy. I want the Council and community to work together to make sure the woodland and greenspace is preserved and the listed buildings developed positively in line with the alternative community plan”.

[ADD YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS]

DEADLINE FOR OBJECTIONS: 4th July 2014

Please Object to Excessive Scheme 3 – even if you objected before:     If you have already signed a petition or wrote in last year, thank you, but it is very important you write in to object again if you disagree with the new. Get family/friends to write in separate letters or emails as they are counted as separate objections (multiple names on the same letter won’t count as separate objections. A short letter is better than no letter – get everyone you know who cares to write in.

Together we can save this beautiful site.

What to Write – This doesn’t have to be like a solicitor’s letter, just put it in your own words. Please include at least one material planning objection to make sure to count in planning terms.

MATERIAL PLANNING OBJECTIONS

1. This site is protected against newbuild development in planning policy.

2. There is no Enabling Development Case: The enabling case is deeply flawed and goes against the guidelines. The site will be spoilt and there are viable alternatives. The newbuild is not a proven minimum. The sales prices for the listed buildings are artificially low and the conversion costs inflated. The A-listed buildings are profitable developed alone.

3. Craighouse is not designated for housing in the Edinburgh Local Plan. It is highly protected green Open Space which Edinburgh Council are obliged to protect ‘whether publicly or privately owned’

4. New-build ruins the setting of the Grade A Listed Buildings against policy: the setting and views of the oldest building – Old Craig built in 1565 – will be spoilt by Burton a large 5/6 storey block. New Craig and the villas will be dominated by large imposing and very long housing blocks in the woodland. Clouston will dominate its historic neighbour, Bevan.

5. The character of the Conservation Area will be spoilt contrary to policy which protects the setting of Victorian buildings against dramatic landscape backdrops (see above). The new houses and carparking at Craiglea Place are out of keeping and spoil the country feel of the entrance of the site and Right of Way.

6. Loss of Public Amenity with loss of open space and beautiful woodland and views. Areas of traditional walks destroyed. Loss of beauty, naturalness, mature trees and views.

7. Roads/carparks 308 carparking spaces will turn areas of Open Space to brownfield against policy. The road report is worried about increased hazards to children and pedestrians.

8. Schooling: the number of dwellings will create more strain on local schools. Flooding – Balcarres St, Meadowspot and Craighouse Rd: there are questions about the potential for increased flood-risk from extra car-parks and buildings.

9. Trees and Wildlife: loss of mature trees and removal of woodland which is the habitat of local wildlife and of protected species such as bats and badgers. As a Local Biodiversity Site and Nature Conservation Site, the wildlife should be especially protected.

10. Views and Skyline: The plans spoil the spectacular protected views both into and out of the site with large 5/6 storey blocks overwhelming the existing Grade A listed buildings. The view from Blackford Hill will be spoilt.

11. Precedent. This amount of new-build contravenes the Local Plan and its numerous protections and policies creating a dangerous precedent for Edinburgh’s other historic sites and green spaces.

THE EXTRA MILE     

Please send copies to Community Councils and Councillors and ask them to object. Morningside CC: planning@morningside.org.uk   Craiglockhart CC: idal@ukgateway.net

Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart Councillors:    andrew.burns@edinburgh.gov.uk       gavin.corbett@edinburgh.gov.uk  david.key@edinburgh.gov.uk

Meadows/Morningside Councillors:   melanie.main@edinburgh.gov.uk    sandy.howat@edinburgh.gov.uk   mark.mcinnes@edinburgh.gov.uk     paul.godzik@edinburgh.gov.uk

BUT  REMEMBER – THE KEY THING :  Object to the Planners by email, letter, or online and please make sure the planning department receives your objection by midnight on 4th July 2014. 

Background

Two years ago, Mountgrange (an off-shore Isle of Man Opportunity Fund) and Napier submitted an application for a luxury housing estate on Craighouse – a protected green and historic site on Edinburgh’s seventh hill and which – like Arthur’s Seat and Blackford Hill – is one of only 8 designated Areas of Great Landscape Value in whole Edinburgh area.

The application – called “factually incorrect” and “inaccurate” by the Council, provoked the largest amount of objection letters the planning dept’s ever received for a single housing application. Thousands wrote in and signed a petition to protect this special site. This has had an enormous impact – thank you all who wrote.

However, Mountgrange are a powerful company and last summer we found out their lobbyists were arranging meetings with Scottish Ministers to try and force the scheme through against the protections, the will of local community, our MSP,  MP and local Councillors in the manner of the Trump golfcourse. So far they haven’t succeeded. But it’s very important for the community to give them a clear message we will not stand for this.

Then, for the second Christmas in a row, Mountgrange and Napier submitted their “scheme 2”. But disappointingly failed to reduce the amount of newbuild, simply moved bits of the newbuild around with large apartment blocks replacing terraces. The number of newbuild dwellings, in fact, increased from 89 to 125, the total dwellings (new and old) went from 153 to189 – meaning more pressure on schools, roads, more traffic and more pressure on what is a beautiful protected nature site.  The square footage of the newbuild also increased – to more than all the existing historic buildings put together. They claim the whole scheme would cost about £80million – however their figures show it costs only a quarter of this to convert the listed buildings. This “scheme 2” received so many objections that the planners have been unable to count all of them, but the planners still allowed Mountgrange to submit a “scheme 3”, which is only slightly different.

The latest Scheme 3, removes just one building from the scheme 2 plans. There is still more newbuild than old. There is still a 6-storey tower block at the top and a massive block at the bottom, spoiling all the views. There are still 4 development sites within the woodland. The planners have insisted that this time really is the very last time they can submit a further scheme before going to a decision with the councillors.

The site comprises Grade-A listed buildings in a spectacular wooded and parkland setting and is one of Edinburgh’s beauty spots – heavily protected as: an Area of Great Landscape Value; a Local Nature Conservation Site; and as the setting of unique Grade-A Listed buildings in a Conservation Area. The site has some of the most spectacular views in the whole city. The plans show no respect for these protections.

No one opposes sensitive conversion of the listed buildings but there is no justification for this excessive development. If this is allowed to go through it will be open day on protected sites around our city.

Please help save this beautiful protected site. Thanks so much!