One of Broughton's more colourful corners.

No. 27 in an occasional photo series celebrating Spurtleshire's street-name signs.

#Edinburgh

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In August this year, locals petitioned councillors about what they say is disruptive over-use of East London Street by HGVs and Lothian Buses. In response, officials have now compiled a report to go before the Transport & Environment Committee on 12 October.

The Kingsford Group seeks temporary planning permission for a single-storey ‘modular working research lab related to Net Zero living’ in the front garden grounds of 154 McDonald Rd (23/04485/FUL). See here for visualisations.

As you read this, advance copies of the October Spurtle are already appearing across the barony.

Issue 333 begins with latest developments in 2 local planning sagas, one artfully tweaked, the other as flat-footed as before. We shed light. We also include news of rumbling giants in the New Town, which some locals love and others hate. Pillars of the community with local connections and an outing in Leith occupy the architectural/artistic slot on Page 1’s coveted top-right.

Community council calls for collaborative approach

For many people who approach it – occasionally and without previous experience or specialist training – the Scottish planning system is an intimidating mystery.

Certainly, some of its fundamental principles – such as the right of appeal for developers but not for objectors – perpetuate a postwar government bias towards rebuilding over conservation.

The annual Doors Open Days offer public access to buildings which are not usually accessible. In several senses,  they reveal much about the city.

One of the things that appeals to visitors here is that so many museums and galleries are open to the public. In contrast, they are disheartened that so many seemingly ‘public’ places are strictly private: the gardens of the New Town being a classic example. Visitors (and some residents) peer longingly over fences and walls at the forbidden fruits within.