Residents and workers in properties surrounding Northumberland Street North West Lane are up in arms at a proposed new mews development in their midst (Ref. 13/03480/FUL).
For once, though, New Town objections to the plan don’t focus on a loss of parking, privacy, or the introduction of anomalous architecture into the Edinburgh World Heritage Site. The lane already includes several modern developments.
At stake, instead, is the future of a much loved tree.
The application – by CRGP Ltd for Torran LLP proposing a 2-bedroom ‘two-storey mews house’ on the site of a small car park – notes that in the event of planning consent being granted, ‘the existing tree on the adjacent site’s foliage is intruding [sic] on our site and will need to be cut back’.
‘In reality,’ says one local campaigner, ‘the 120-year-old broad-leafed lime is much bigger. It is a magnificent feature of the lane, and all of us who overlook it are very concerned that it should remain.’
The lime’s owner recently had it inspected by a tree surgeon, who found it to be in robust health.
‘However, not only will lopping ruin it,’ continues our source, ‘but the construction work is so close to the base that it will almost certainly damage the roots and kill it.’
No wonder, then, that some neighbours feel strongly about the matter and have contacted the New Town and Broughton Community Council for support. Letters to Ward 11 (City Centre) councillors will likely follow.
Anyone who feels moved to object to (or endorse) the application can find advice on how to do so here. The deadline for comments is 23 September.
Architects and surveyors CRCP Ltd are from Glasgow, and recently handled restoration of the extensively fire-damaged Xcite Whitburn Leisure Centre in West Lothian.
According to the website of their client in this case, Hanover Street-based Torran companies ‘buy and own property on their own account, work with joint venture partners to help them deploy capital into the UK commercial property markets and provide high quality advice and an experienced resource to asset management clients. [They are] also involved in the residential development and buy-to-let markets.’
IMPORTANT NOTE: Since this article was published, a new campaign pack has become available offering detailed Planning guidance and updated information. See Breaking news (16.9.13).
Do you have views on this or any other of Spurtle's Breaking news? Do you have a local story you think we should be covering? Please let us know! You can contact us by email spurtle@hotmail.co.uk on Facebook Broughton Spurtle or Twitter @theSpurtle