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Erection of purpose-built student accommodation – Willowbrae

Posted on: December 13, 2023

We see no reason why the approved residential development should not be progressed

We see no reason why the approved residential development should not be progressed

Cockburn Response

We do not support his application.

We note that an application for residential apartments , including affordable  apartments, has already been approved for this site.  We see no reason why the approved development should not be progressed.  The approved development would offer a range of residential types, including affordable housing, which are entirely suitable for the site and location and would support the need for more residential accommodation in Edinburgh outlined in the recently declared ‘Housing Emergency’.

This proposal appears to be part of an ongoing trend to substitute approved residential developments with student accommodation of a broadly similar design to that already approved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further Details Here

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Use of existing derelict warehouse to form student housing development

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This proposal makes good use of a challenging and restricted site

This proposal makes good use of a challenging and restricted site

Cockburn Response

We have taken time to understand the current proposals for this difficult, restricted and complex  site and we support this application.

We do not believe that this site is suitable for full-time residential accommodation because of unavoidable  restrictions in terms of  aspect, amenity, greenspace and the nature of the listed structure. 

However, with these restriction in mind we consider  that the relatively small student student development which is being proposed makes a good use of the site.

The listed structure which will be used for this development is clearly in a very poor and precarious condition.  This development will conserve/rebuild much of the remaining external walls.   We accept that the modern set-backs  proposed for the front facade are required to facilitate the well-being  and privacy of future student residents.

We note that the developer has a ‘Phase 2’ project under development on an adjoining site.  We would encourage this be brought forward as soon as possible.  The current proposal and the future ‘Phase 2’  project taken  together are an example of successful site masterplanning on  a smaller scale – the benefits are the development of both sites to the locality being greater than the individual elements in isolation.

Further Details Here

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Residential and PBSA Student Development – Salamander Street

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We also consider that the location is too remote from any educational campus

We also consider that the location is too remote from any educational campus

Cockburn Response

We recognize that design team have made significant changes to earlier iterations of the design proposed for this site in consultation with city planners.

However, we remain unconvinced that this scheme does not have the potential to negatively impact  on the amenity of existing neighbours  while adding only limited additional amenity benefits to the surrounding area.

We also consider that the location is too remote from any educational campus, particularly in the context of the recently declared ‘Housing Emergency’ and given the local demand for permanent residential housing.

Specific consideration should be given to the current concentration of existing or approved student developments in the  area,  to the balance of of PBSA and non-PBSA accommodation in the proposed development, to the undesirable prevalence of studio flats in the design and to the the lack of accessible accommodation, and accessible parking  in the design.

Further Details Here

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Forget Kinder Scout, it all started in Edinburgh.

POSTED ON November 29, 2023 BY James Garry

Why I think Edinburgh should be considered the birthplace of the outdoor access movement

Why I think Edinburgh should be considered the birthplace of the outdoor access movement

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Proposed flatted development – Canonmills

Posted on: November 15, 2023

We do not believe that this is a suitable development site for the volume of development proposed

We do not believe that this is a suitable development site for the volume of development proposed

Cockburn Response

The Cockburn Association has to objected to this proposal on the grounds that it impacts negatively on the character of a conservation area and is deficient in both form and context.

Firstly, we do not believe that this is a suitable development site for the volume of development proposed. The lack of usable amenity space and very tight boundaries amounts to overdevelopment with subsequent impacts on amenity, daylighting, and overlooking.

Architecturally, the overall disposition is clumsy and with little design merit. The ‘blockiness’ of the scheme and overly simplistic form results in a building with no effective bottom, middle or top. The change of materials on the upper storey does little create a discernible roofscape and only emphasises the blandness of the proposals.

A much smaller proposal with a significantly higher degree of design input might address these objections but in this context it is unlikely.

As such, we oppose this proposal on the grounds that it does not conform to Local Development Plan Policy Des 1 (Design Quality and Context); Policy Des 4 (Development Design – Impact on Setting) and Policy Des 5 (Development Design – Amenity and Policy).

In addition, the proposals fail Policy ENV6 (Conservation Areas – Development) in that the scheme neither preserves nor enhances the character of the Inverleith Conservation Area and and does not demonstrate high standards of design and materials appropriate to the historic environment.

Further Details Here

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26 Inverleith Row – Parking Space

Posted on: November 11, 2023

Gardens are vital spaces

Gardens are vital spaces

Cockburn Response

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Proposals for Italy House, East London Street

Posted on: November 9, 2023

We have no objection to the repurposing of London House to form a new Italian Consulate and Cultural Institute

We have no objection to the repurposing of London House to form a new Italian Consulate and Cultural Institute

Cockburn Response

This application has been brought to our attention by several local stakeholders.

We have no objection to the repurposing of London House to form a new Italian Consulate and Cultural Institute.

We do have concerns with the proposed security arrangements, specifically the 2.4m high fence that will circle the building and associated land.

Firstly, no details are included in the application so no assessment of impact or suitability is possible. Given the interface with this street, we do not believe that it is proper for this to be addressed by condition – details should be made available for public scrutiny. Any substantive, visually impermeable structure should be avoided.

Secondly, we question the need for such a perimeter fence especially along East London Street in the first place. Consulates such as the American one on Regent Terrace and Russia’s on Melville Street (both subject to potentially much higher levels of security requirements) rely on 1.2m Georgian railings. Many others are the same. We can see no special need here.

Should such significant counter-terrorism structures be required, we would question the suitability of this location, directly opposite St Mary’s Primary School and near the Central Mosque.

In addition, we have some concerns with the impact on the setting of Gayfield House, a Category A-listed building.

Further Details Here

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Communities must benefit from Scotland’s changing land use

POSTED ON  BY James Garry

New guidance puts local people at the heart of land decisions

New guidance puts local people at the heart of land decisions

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Proposed Student Accommodation Dunedin street

Posted on: November 8, 2023

There is an ideal opportunity here to engage residents in the preparation of a Local Place Plan

There is an ideal opportunity here to engage residents in the preparation of a Local Place Plan

Cockburn Response

 

This part of Edinburgh is in danger of being redeveloped through ad hoc market driven development.

 

There is an ideal opportunity here to engage residents in the preparation of a Local Place Plan to enable the local community to submit ideas and proposals for their own local area. Introduced by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, Local Place Plans are a way for communities to think about how to make their place better, to agree priorities, and to take action to make change happen.

 

In preparing their own community-led Local Place Plan, the local community in this part of Edinburgh could express its aspirations and priorities for the future through the submission of ideas and proposals for the development or use of land and buildings.

 

Once registered, the Local Place Plan could then be taken into account by The City of Edinburgh Council a material consideration when planning applications are being considered.

Further Details Here

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West Tollcross Student Accommodation

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In terms of use, we accept that a PBSA scheme is a suitable use here

In terms of use, we accept that a PBSA scheme is a suitable use here

Cockburn Response

The Association has had several discussions with the developer and their professional team, including a presentation of the proposals to our Policy & Development Committee recently. We acknowledge this positive engagement for this important yet relatively hidden site.

The Cockburn accepts that this is a development site. Despite its interesting and varied history, none the buildings proposed for removal have significant merit or haven’t been substantially altered over the years. We also acknowledge the impact that the 1960s and 70s traffic engineering schemes have had in the local area.

In terms of use, we accept that a PBSA scheme is a suitable use here. Unlike very many schemes coming in the market, the location is very well placed for a number of institutions. Whilst we would prefer a mixed-use/tenure scheme, the site is both constrained in size and context as to make this impractical.

Overall, we are content with the scale and massing of the proposals. We welcome the proposed active frontage and support the small space being provided. In due course, we hope that significant changes to the road layout might mean greater area is give over to the open space.

We have some concerns with the use of brick on this site, particularly from an embodied carbon management perspective. Brick is one of the most carbon-heavy materials due to its manufacturing process and going forward, such carbon assessments should form part of the decision-making process per NPF4’s objective in climate change mitigation. We therefore advocate that a condition be imposed requiring low carbon alternatives (eg baked v fired brick) to be considered.

We note the proximity to one of the city’s busiest fire stations. Noise management will be crucial in making this a successful scheme and whilst mostly the domain of the building regulation system, the amenity of the proposals relies on ensuring sufficient building mass to address this external noise source.

Finally, the use of the site as a music venue/nightclub over many years has created an interesting part of the intangible heritage of the city. Bands such as U2, The Clash and Pink Floyd have performed here early in their careers. We would therefore advocate an interpretation strategy in the proposed open space to mark this fact.

 

Further Details Here

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