Planning

This is a longer version (with new reactions afterwards) of the article which appeared in Issue 327.

Readers are doubtless familiar with the recent background of short-term lets (STLs) in Edinburgh – namely, that following the passing by the Scottish Government of a law enabling local authorities to designate 'Short-term let planning control areas', City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) immediately announced the establishment of such a control area, covering the whole local-authority area, which came into force on 5 September 2022.

A formal 125-year lease agreement has begun between Edinburgh Council and the Royal High School Preservation Trust. Work will now begin on turning the historic structures and new additions into a home for St Mary’s Music School and a public performance venue.

RHSPT chair Willie Gray Muir said, ‘As we prepare to move ahead into the redevelopment phase, we look forward to collaborating closely with the local community as we keep them up-to-date on progress.’ Work is expected to finish in 2026.

NO HEARING, NO PUBLIC PLATFORM FOR LOCAL VOICES

CA Europe Operating Company has taken its applications for town houses and student housing at 72–4 Eyre Place direct to the Scottish Government (22/03833/FUL; 22/03834/FUL).

The Development Management Sub-Committee hearing agreed on 11 January will not now take place.

In an unprecedented and scathing second objection, Leith Central Community Council has written to all elected members on the Development Management Sub-Cmte in advance of tomorrow’s meeting.

On Thursday this week (26 Jan), councillors on the Finance & Resources Cmte will consider selling off Council-owned land in Eyre Place.

The 552 m² site currently serves as garden space but was, until some point in the late 1980s, a tenement.

Before that, the area had been built on since at least 1804, when John Ainslie's 'Old and New Town of Edinburgh and Leith with the Proposed Docks' was published.

COUNCILLORS TO DETERMINE APPLICATION NEXT WEEK

At the next meeting of the Development Management Sub-Committee on 11 January, councillors will consider CA Eyre Place’s application to build student housing at 72–4 Eyre Place (22/03834/FUL).

The Royal High School Preservation Trust’s revised proposals to form new premises for St Mary’s Music School at the old Royal High School on Regent Rd were approved today (22/02449/FUL).

The plans entail demolition of later ancillary buildings, new residential and practice facilities, a landscaped public garden, and a new basement under the Main Hall for foyer and associated works.

This temporary barrier is now semi-permanent at the St James Quarter's Little King St entrance/exit. It's to stop pedestrians accidentally walking into traffic.

And yet there's not a sleeping policeman in view, and no obvious speed warnings for drivers.

It all seems a bit one-sided given that the overwhelming majority passing through this area do so on foot.

On Wednesday next week, the Development Management Sub-Committee will consider Nuveen’s application to erect temporary structures for ‘a defined period each year’ in St James Square (22/02035/FUL).

The Cockburn Association, Edinburgh’s oldest heritage watchdog, has launched a Manifesto for the City in advance of next month’s Local Government Elections. You can read it in full HERE.

The 4-page document stresses a need to rebuild trust between citizens and elected representatives.

It calls for: