The Caltongate Development
The Cockburn Association devoted a substantial amount of time to commenting on issues surrounding development proposals for land to the north of the Canongate - 'Caltongate'. Our comments, at each stage of the process, are detailed below.
February 2013 Update
The new owner of of the site, Artisan REI, is undertaking a reappraisal of the proposals for the south of the masterplan and we are hopeful of positive changes. In the meantime however they have applied to renew the exisiting planning consents which expire this year and the Association is maintaining its opposition to the proposals and has issued the following letters on the Old Sailors Ark, the Canongate Venture and Jeffrey Street.
The Masterplan Process
In May 2006 the Cockburn Association responded to the 
The Draft Caltongate Masterplan which outlined proposals for the regeneration of the area North of the Canongate in Edinburgh's Old Town. The Association was of the view that the proposals, which included the partial demolition and facade retention of a C(s) listed building, the demolition of an occupied C(s) listed building in sound condition and the demolition of occupied 1930s tenements in sound condition on the Royal Mile were unacceptable.
The Association produced a graphical commentary illustrating how the area could be sensitively regenerated in keeping with the urban grain and historic plot widths and setting of this key area within the World Heritage Site. Our graphical comments (see links below) were produced by architect Neil Simpson.
On 15 June the Association made a deputation to the City of Edinburgh Council Planning Committee, along with Edinburgh World Heritage and Historic Scotland, to request a more enlightened approach to the character of development in this area and to urge the Planning Committee to recommend substantial changes to the final Masterplan and continue discussion of the alternatives to the demolition of sound buildings of historical value.
The City of Edinburgh Council Planning Committee adopted the Caltongate Masterplan subject to recommendations. In response, the Association produced a further graphical commentary on the recommendations and further comments on heights, massing and roofscape to assist the Council in revising the Masterplan.
On 5 October 2006, the City Council Planning Committee adopted the Caltongate Masterplan despite considerable concerns and objections from the local community and heritage bodies. The Cockburn Association made a deputation to this Committee, voicing again our substantial concerns. The Caltongate Masterplan still stands as supplementary planning guidance in the area.
Cockburn Association's Response to the Draft Caltongate Masterplan (May 2006)
Caltongate Graphical Comments 1
Caltongate Graphical Comments 2
Caltongate Graphical Comments 3
Joint Press Statement with Edinburgh World Heritage
Comments on the Recommendations & Heights & Massing (July 2006)
Cockburn Graphical Response to the Recommendations
Cockburn Association Responses to Planning Applications (May 2007)
Caltongate Hotel and Conference Centre PA5
Caltongate Jeffrey Street and Cranston Street
Caltongate Housing PA4 North and PA4 South
Caltongate New Street Office PA3
Caltongate Cranston Street PA6
Caltongate Demolition of Canongate Venture PA5
Caltongate Demolition of Sailors Ark
Cockburn Association Responses to Amended Planning Applications (October 2007)
Caltongate Jeffrey Street and Cranston Street (2)
Caltongate Housing PA4 and PA4 South (2)
Caltongate New Street Office PA3 (2)
Caltongate Hotel and Conference Centre PA5 (2)
Caltongate Parliament Way (2)
Cockburn Association Response to New Planning Application (November 2007)
The Cockburn Association, Trunk's Close, 55 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR, T:0131 557 8686