Pitt Street PBSA

Posted on: July 19, 2024

This site should not be not ‘flipped’ to PBSA accommodation

Cockburn Response

Approval has been granted for the construction of a residential complex comprising 98 apartments for mainstream housing on this site.

The proposed development is set to include 80 student apartments, consisting of seven studios and 73 beds within 16 cluster units. It will also feature associated amenity spaces, cycle parking, and landscaping, all located on the same site.

Considering the City of Edinburgh’s and the Scottish Government’s declared Housing Emergency, it is our stance that this site should be developed for mainstream housing as initially intended, rather than being ‘flipped’ into Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA).

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Castle Street Hotel

Posted on: July 18, 2024

More heritage and access detail is required

Cockburn Response

This proposal may represent a sustainable use of an A-listed former office in the New Town. However, clarification of and expanded detail on a number of important issues is required.

As it stands, the application fails to make completely clear which elements of internal heritage interest are to be retained, restored or removed. It is particularly concerning that remaining items of original heritage interest may be at risk.

In addition, given the nature of the change of use proposed, details of servicing arrangements and of visitor access provision should have been included in the application.

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Fringe Hub

Posted on:

There is broad stakeholder support for the redevelopment

Cockburn Response

The Cockburn Association agrees with the broad stakeholder support for the redevelopment of a B-listed building, aiming to create a centralized, modern, and accessible facility for the Fringe Society.

The removal of non-original extensions, the installation of energy efficient windows and the internal cladding of external walls are not of concern.

However, it is unclear whether DDA compliant accessible parking will be retained the remodeling of the former playground. This is a real concern given the effort being made to improve accessibility to and within the former resource centre and the lack of publicly accessible DDA compliant parking spaces in the local area.

The layout of the playground, as proposed, is a lost opportunity to introduced more climate-ready greenspace into this part of the city. Much more could be done in terms of low cost, low maintenance urban greening.

Moving forward, the modernization of heritage buildings poses numerous challenges. The Fringe Society must adopt best practices and innovative solutions to sustainably utilize their new headquarters. Striking a balance between modern requirements and the conservation of historical charm and ambiance necessitates meticulous planning and inventive strategies. Specifically, meeting energy efficiency standards affordably while preserving the building’s historical integrity will require innovative methods, especially as the city broadens its low carbon energy infrastructure. Nevertheless, the Fringe Society is in an excellent position to set a precedent for the sustainable adaptation of historic buildings.

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Edinburgh’s Radical Road – its history, its uncertain future

POSTED ON BY James Garry

Debate about the road’s future continues

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Green Homes Festival

POSTED ON July 17, 2024 BY James Garry

Encouraging sustainable living practices

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Encouraging sustainable living practices

Inverleith Row Telecoms Mast

Posted on: July 12, 2024

Proposed telecommunications installation in a conservation area should be located in an inconspicuous location

Cockburn Response

Proposals for prominent telecommunications installations in conservation areas continue to come forward and generally result in significant local concern regarding their siting and their potential negative impact on the character and amenity of individual conservation areas.

Local planning authorities are under a duty to formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of conservation areas . Policies need to be developed which clearly identify what it is about the character or appearance of the area which should be preserved or enhanced and the means of achieving that objective.

Given the frequency with which telecommunications installations are proliferating across the city. The need to clarify if, when and how such installations can be sited within a conservation areas is urgent.

It is our view that such proposals should not add to street clutter on busy pedestrian thoroughfares or in vicinity of busy road junctions. Applications in conservation areas should certainly be refused if it is determined that the benefits of the proposed installation are deemed not to outweigh the harm caused to the unique character of the conservation area and if there is insufficient evidence that alternative sites or mast sharing opportunities have been adequately explored.

We understand the essential requirement for modern telecommunications infrastructure in our city and its importance to residents, visitors and businesses. However, we believe that, in consultation with local stakeholders, any proposed telecommunications installation in a conservation area should be located in an inconspicuous location, dis-aggregated into smaller, less conspicuous arrays or co-located on an existing installation if this is achievable.

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Granton Development

Posted on: July 11, 2024

More information is required on affordable housing

Cockburn Response

The Cockburn supports this application.

Members of our Policy and Development Committee benefited from an in-depth presentation on this development by the development team during the consultation phase.

In relation to this planning application, in our view it is essential that community infrastructure is delivered in a timely manner in support of the planned residential development.

Surprisingly little information is provided in relation to the affordable housing component of this proposal. There is no affordable housing statement, only a broad statement of intent. As a result, it is unclear what specific housing needs are to be addressed and if affordable family homes are included, for example.

The proposed district heating scheme may be a viable, low carbon energy resource for future residents. But it is not clear it this can be guaranteed to be an affordable option for future residents in the long term. More information on energy affordability is required.

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Proposed Jesus The Homeless Sculpture

Posted on:

This sculpture has promoted public discourse on homelessness

Cockburn Response

The Cockburn supports this application.

Many of the statues around the city centre are large and imposing and celebrate the lives and achievements of prominent citizens.. Jesus The Homeless is more down to earth and speaks of the fragility of the human condition. It seems an evocative and appropriate addition to the cityscape, especially in the current Housing Emergency.

Its proposed location is consistent with the positioning of duplicate statues in relation to prominent building and churches in other major cities.

Around the world, this sculpture has promoted public discourse on homelessness and motivated action towards its eradication. It is to be hoped that the same will be true in Edinburgh.

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