Substantial new proposals are in place for 14–16, 20, 24, 26 Beaverhall Road. They amount to a mixed use development comprising residential and commercial floor space. Approximately 80–100 residential dwellings, and approximately 150–300 square metres of commercial floor space, including all associated roads and infrastructure.
The plans, unseen as yet, have been forwarded by Yeoman McAllister Architects, acting as agents for Elgin-based Springfield Properties PLC. City officials have given approval for a pre-application notification process (PAN), whereby developers must consult with local residents, community groups and councillors before submitting their proposals to the standard planning procedures (Ref. 11/01888/PAN).
A public exhibition of plans is scheduled for Thursday, 28 July, 2–8pm at Broughton Primary School.
Some questions worth asking about the development are:
- What kind of residents are envisaged as living here. Will adequate provision be made for affordable, family and social housing as a way of encouraging strong community roots?
- Does the proposal envisage more student accommodation, and if so would this not represent something of a surfeit locally?
- How will increased traffic and parking concerns be addressed?
- How realistic are plans for commercial floor space, when the nearby development at Logie Green Road / Beaverbank Place (see below) has found it impossible to sell such provision?
Spurtle will monitor closely and keep you posted.
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In a Fast-track decision, City of Edinburgh Council has given consent for Freemantle Developments' latest application for a variation to planning consent for their development of 6 flats on the site of the former Sparta boxing club at 14 McDonald Road (Ref. 06/04118/VAR2).
Whilst the new proposal concerned 'the elevational detailing and dimensional step-back', officials said it would not affect the character of the building or surrounding area, or add new issues of overlooking or overshadowing. In which case, why change it at all?
Mysteriously, this variation which does and does not make any difference is nowhere explained online. Thank goodness for our transparent and easy-to-use planning process. (For the orginal proposals – consented in September 2007 – see Ref. 06/04118/FUL.)
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Consent has been given for a new shopfront to the Category B-listed Shezan Tandoori Restaurant at 24-5 Union Place (Ref. 11/0412/FUL). Conditions attached related to the colour of new paintwork and aluminium window frames.
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In March (Breaking news 2.3.11) we detailed Logie Green Development Ltd's plans to provide extra student accommodation rather than office space (as originally planned) at their development at 11 Logie Green Road and 26, 28a, 29, 32, 33 Beaverbank Place (Ref. 11/00475/FUL). Council officials raised concerns about nearby trees blocking daylight to the ground floor, and the developers consequently commissioned a 'Screening Assessment of Daylight Adequacy to Proposed New Student Study Bedrooms' by Anstey Horne & Co. That report was published on 1 June. It concludes:
5.10 From the results above, even in mid summer when the trees are in full leaf, the
lowest ADF value calculated at 1.03% df. The corresponding ADF value for mid
winter following leaf fall was 1.63% df and the “mean” between the two is
1.33%df.
5.11 The ADF value for a domestic bedroom is 1.00% df. It is therefore clear that not only will the “mean” ADF value exceed this target standard, the student study bedrooms will still satisfy the design guidance even when the trees are in full leaf. It is therefore clear that any further and more detailed modelling and testing is unnecessary.
Excellent – we and generations of students to come can rest easy in our beds.
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Royal Bank of Scotland have withdrawn plans for a new night safe, but been given the go-ahead to install an additional ATM machine at 2–3a Blenheim Place (Ref. 11/01291/FUL). To paraphrase Billy Connolly, this will delight late-night visitors to the area who always enjoy finding new things to be sick on.