The obscure Adam Richardson of 39 George Street has proposed alterations to the shop front, installation of external plant/machinery, roof alterations and display of signage at Category A-listed 28 Howe Street (Ref. 11/02841/LBC). This is the property currently occupied by the In-House design store.
A little rummaging reveals that Mr Richardson works for WYG Planning & Design, that the proposed use of the property remains retail, and that the external works will include replacement of the existing 2-leaf timber door with a new 'aluminium-framed, glazed, automatic swing entrance door'.
Architectural and heritage buffs will doubtless have their own opinions about the aesthetic merit of this, and about the addition of so much new roof-mounted refrigeration plant, and wall-mounted air-conditioning units, to the World Heritage Site skyline.
However, what is all this new equipment for?
The answer finally becomes clear on examining Elevation A: a street view of the proposed front of the premises. Here at last, the name of the real client is revealed as Sainsbury's, who propose to announce their presence with '450 internally illuminated cannister lettering, "Sainsbury's" in orange, all other text in white, applied to powder-coated aluminium fascia, plum in colour'.
Mr Mohammed at News Corner (46 Howe Street) was shocked by news of the proposal this morning, not least since Sainsbury's involvement was not immediately obvious from the application notification circulated to neighbours. He vowed to organise a petition and mobilise locals, most of whom he is sure will oppose the supermarket's arrival here.
The area is already served by Mr Mohammed's newsagent/greengrocery, a branch of Margiotta, numerous small cafés, and another branch of Sainsbury's 5 minutes down the road in Stockbridge.
Historic Scotland describes the building as '[p]art of the Second New Town A Group, a significant surviving part of one of the most important and best preserved examples of urban planning in Britain. Nos 24, 26, 28 and 30 Howe Street [...] were originally a symmetrical group of 3 houses, with the centre house slightly advanced and pedimented'.
Objections on architectural and heritage grounds perhaps offer the best hope of success since, as with Tesco's proposal at Picardy Place, the property already enjoys a Class 1 Retail Licence.
Spurtle has little confidence that Sainsbury's curiously low-profile bid to enter the New Town will meet stiff opposition in Council circles. Recent experience suggests Planners and politicians are either indifferent or insufficiently resourced to take on the giants, which continue to snuff out retail variety and independence in Edinburgh whilst paradoxically trumpeting the benefits of choice.
No. 28 is the property of an Inverleith resident, who prefers to give her address as a firm of solicitors at 16 Heriot Row.
Anyone wishing to object to a planning application may do so by post to: Head of Planning, City Development Department, Business Unit G2, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG; or via the Building and Planning Portal at http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk. Always remember to quote the reference number, and tick online box to state that you are objecting not supporting.
Advice/support may also be available from the local community council, councillors, and MSPs.
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