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ALL CHANGE AT CANONMILLS? PROBABLY NOT

Submitted by Editor on

Plans to build 2 restaurants, 6 flats and 3 townhouses at 1,2,3–6 Canonmills (beside the bridge) have at last been approved (Ref. 09/00830/FUL). 

The Planning Sub-committee had been minded to consent the proposals in late 2010, but complicated legal to-ings and fro-ings over the Section 75 Agreement between Council and Glovart Holdings Ltd delayed the decision until 8 May 2013.

It is now over 4 years and 5 months since the application was first submitted. Market conditions have changed in the intervening period, and it is unclear when – if ever – the project as currently envisaged will be built. 

We tried contacting Glovart Holdings for a statement yesterday but with no success. We did manage to reach Earthy, whose shop/restaurant considerably brightened the area on arrival in Canonmills last year. The spokesperson there said they had no plans to move: 'We're here, we're stable, we're not going anywhere.' 

A Council report of 27 October 2010 summarised the plans as follows:

'The proposal is for an L shaped 4 storey building for a mixed use development with 1 restaurant unit and 1 commercial unit at ground floor level fronting Canonmills and 6 residential flats above. Three town houses are proposed to the rear. 

'The flats have 2 bedrooms and have windows facing onto Canonmills, Warriston Road with car parking area to the rear in a shared courtyard.

'At basement level, storage space is provided for the commercial units with refuse and bin stores for both the flats and commercial units. Bike storage is also provided.

'To the rear of the main block 3 townhouses are proposed facing the Water of Leith to complete the 'L shape' of the proposal. Due to the difference in ground level these are at a lower height as the flatted block. The units have 3 bedrooms with balconies facing on the river and windows facing east to Warriston Road. Parking is provided at ground floor level in the form of integral garages accessed from Warriston Road. 

'Solar panels are included in the design of the building to provide renewable energy, 8 are located on the main flatted block and 4 on the townhouses. 

'Car parking is provided for the site to the rear of the building accessed from Warriston Road. Five spaces are proposed with three of these being integral garages for the townhouses. Space is available for delivery vehicles.

'The proposed materials are sandstone walling, white render finish, glass aluminum and timber.'

Recognising the prominence and sensitivity of the site within the Inverleith Conservation Area, Council officers were keen that the proposal should be of a sufficient standard.

They concluded that:
'The proposed design and layout of the building are acceptable and will preserve and enhance the character of the conservation area.  The applicant has been able to demonstrate that there will be no adverse impact on the residential amenity of the neighbouring properties and that the residential amenity of the proposed dwellings is acceptable.  There are no material considerations which outweigh this conclusion.' 

The plans were 'controversial' when first seen, and drew criticism from some including the Inverleith Society. Spurtle was concerned, but broadly in favour of the proposals in Breaking news (27.10.10). But now that Earthy has refurbished the old premises and rejuvenated the neighbourhood, we rather like things the way they are now. Has your opinion changed over time?

Tell us by email: spurtle@hotmail.co.uk Twitter: @theSpurtle  Facebook: Broughton Spurtle

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Reactions

To me the the proposed design is visually dominating, and very out of place in the area.  Since market conditions have changed so much, why not rethink completely, and more flexibly? The open space behind Earthy's could be used for a market, for example.
 
(Mary Hutchison, Cornhill Terrace)
 

The proposed building may have looked quite good four years ago, and very much in keeping with the then current architectural practice - but does it not now look rather old-fashionedly sharp-edged and "jaggy"? And if that's the virtual reality image, without even being built, how much less harmonious will it appear by the time its real-life presence is intended to supplant Earthy's low-rise, low-impact, sustainable and highly-popular presence? It looks rather like an idea whose time has come ... and gone again. (Alison Campbell, Portobello)

 [Photos courtesy of Fouin+Bell Architects Ltd.]