Installation of memorial cat sculpture

Posted on: March 12, 2025

Hugo was well known among local people in the west end of Edinburgh

Hugo was well known among local people in the west end of Edinburgh

Cockburn Response

The Cockburn has supported this statue in acknowledgement of  Hugo’s significance as a local character, appreciating his role in shaping Edinburgh’s distinct identity and heritage. Local art, such as this statue, is crucial to communities, fostering pride, connection, and continuity, whilst offering a concrete link to shared history and values that reinforce community ties.

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Dry Dock at Harbour 31

Posted on: February 21, 2025

Developments such as this should support and facilitate a strategic link along Edinburgh’s waterfront

Developments such as this should support and facilitate a strategic link along Edinburgh’s waterfront

Cockburn Response

This proposed development off Bath Road in Edinburgh aims to create a versatile business hub. This project includes the construction of office spaces, general industrial facilities, and areas designated for storage or distribution. Additionally, the development plans feature a training facility to support skill development and ancillary retail and food and drink outlets to cater to the needs of those working in and visiting the area. The proposal also includes associated infrastructure, such as parking, to ensure convenience and accessibility.

The Cockburn Association  has commented on this application, highlighting that it lacks a clear public realm strategy, and requires a clearer definition of the public realm proposed for the site. Further clarification and details are required to demonstrate how the proposed development will integrate with the wider Leith community and how it will increase accessibility and permeability across the port area. Developments such as this should not miss out on opportunities to support and facilitate a strategic link along Edinburgh’s waterfront and should seek to maximise opportunities for engagement with the waterfront. This application could do more to address both these points. Additionally, the proposed development’s future relationship, if any, with the Forth Freeport is not addressed.

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West Park Place PBSA

Posted on: February 13, 2025

The existing buildings are not listed but have been identified as locally significant

The existing buildings are not listed but have been identified as locally significant

Cockburn Response

This planning application involves the demolition of the existing buildings at 2 – 3 West Park Place, Edinburgh. The site will be redeveloped to construct purpose-built student accommodation, which will include ancillary amenities, cycle parking, landscaping, and other associated works. The existing buildings are not listed but have been flagged as locally significant by appropriate City of Edinburgh Council officers. There has been local interest and local objections.

The Cockburn Association objects to this application.  We  are not convinced that the case for the complete demolition of all the existing buildings is justified.

The height, mass, and bulk of the proposals seem excessive for such a constrained site in a heavily residential area, and there are no new accessible greenspaces or additional amenity benefits for the area’s existing community.

The application does not discuss the cumulative impact of adding additional student accommodation to an area which already has built and consented PBSA accommodation.

Additionally, while we acknowledge that most of the accommodation proposed is in cluster configurations, we would have liked to have seen a fuller discussion of how this development could be effectively and affordably reconfigured as mainstream housing if the demand for PBSA should fall in the future.

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Northfield Drive PBSA

Posted on: January 10, 2025

A disappointing design

A disappointing design

Cockburn Response

Some recent proposals for Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) buildings in Edinburgh have been praised for their architectural quality, creating a visually appealing and contextually sensitive structures.

However, the current PBSA development proposed for Northfield Drive in Edinburgh has a disappointing design which adds little to the visual amenity and diversity of its neighbourhood.

With so many PBSA applications coming forward across Edinburgh at this time, it is crucial that each new development adds something of value to the Edinburgh cityscape.

 

Further Details Here

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217 High Street

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More technical reassurance is required

More technical reassurance is required

Cockburn Response

This proposal may be acceptable. However, very little information is provided in the application. We would have expected to see more detailed technical reassurance that the works proposed will secure the facade of this prominent Category A listed building on the High Street of Edinburgh.  In the absence of this information we have objected to this application.

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New Town Quarter

Posted on: December 12, 2024

The Cockburn will seek reassurance on several proposed changes. 

The Cockburn will seek reassurance on several proposed changes. 

Cockburn Response

The six-acre site on Dundas Street has planning permission for 350 new homes with various Build to Rent, private residential, mid-market rent and office space. However, developer Ediston wants to change two blocks from Build to Rent to PBSA without altering the appearance of the original plans. Additionally, they want to change the proposed office area into more residential units, necessitating a height increase. The PBSA development would host 580 students, and the office block would be converted to around 80 homes, increasing the number of homes for sale to around 200. The mid-market rent block of 108 homes would remain the same. The developer has said that inflation has caused a significant impact on the construction market, so the original plan is now not financially viable.

The New Town Quarter was initially conceived as a mixed-use, self-contained site.  What is now being proposed is a primarily residential development dominated by PBSA.  The six-acre site on Dundas Street has received planning permission for 350 new homes, including various options for Build to Rent, private residential units, mid-market rent, and office space. However, the developer, Ediston, wants to modify the original plans by changing two blocks from Build to Rent to Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) without altering their appearance. Additionally, they wish to convert the proposed office area into more residential units, which would require increasing the height of the buildings.

The PBSA development is expected to accommodate 580 students, while the conversion of the office block would yield around 80 new homes, bringing the total number of homes for sale to approximately 200. The mid-market rent block, consisting of 108 homes, would remain unchanged. The developer has cited inflation as a significant factor affecting the construction market, making the original plan financially unviable.

At its most recent meeting,  the Cockburn’s Policy and Development Committee reviewed the proposed changes to this scheme and considered them significant. The New Town Quarter was initially envisioned as a mixed-use, self-contained site. The current proposal, which leans heavily towards residential development dominated by PBSA, has raised concerns among committee members. When the anticipated new planning application is lodged, the committee will seek reassurance on several proposed changes.

Public Consultation Site:

https://www.newtownquarter.co.uk/

Further Details Here

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80 Morrison Street

Posted on: November 28, 2024

Market forces alone are insufficient to determine how and where new office and new hotels developments are located

Market forces alone are insufficient to determine how and where new office and new hotels developments are located

Cockburn Response

The proposed use in close proximity to the conference centre is acceptable.

We note that this application builds on a prior approval for the redevelopment of this former office block as offices.  However, the proposed increase in height in the current application will require scrutiny in relation to the heights of neighbouring buildings and with regard to views across the city to the site; views from the Old Town area may be most impacted.

It is evident from the commercial press that the city still has an unmet demand for high quality office spaces. Market forces alone are insufficient to determine how and where new office and new hotels developments are located in the city centre.

Further Details Here

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Stockbridge Parish Hall

Posted on: November 14, 2024

A comprehensive heritage and visual assessment is required

A comprehensive heritage and visual assessment is required

Cockburn Response

We have commented on this application.

An application relating to an A-listed building in a Conservation Area should be accompanied by a comprehensive heritage and visual assessment.

This application is deficient in these necessary items and it is not possible to fully assess the actual or potential impact of the proposed panels and any associated infrastructure of the heritage features of this building.  In addition, given the age and nature of this building it would have been helpful if an assessment of the carbon benefit and energy performance    of the proposed panels had been included.

Based on the information provided the potential for a negative visual impact on the World Heritage Site seems limited.  But a more comprehensive set of views to the site from key points in the surrounding cityscape is required.

This application should be assessed against appropriate policies in the recently approved City Plan 2030 including:

Env 9 World Heritage Sites    Development which would harm the qualities of World Heritage Sites and which justifed the inscription of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh and/or the Forth Bridge as World Heritage Sites (i.e. their Outstanding Universal Value) or would have a detrimental impact upon their setting, will not be permitted.

Env 12 Listed Buildings and structures – Alterations and Extensions    Proposals to alter or extend a listed building will be permitted where: a. there will be no harm to the special interest of the building and its features, b. there will be no damage or loss of important historic fabric, and c. any additions are of a high-quality design that are appropriate to the character of the building.

Env 14 Conservation Areas – Development Development within a conservation area, affecting its setting or impacting views of the area and from within it will be supported by this policy where it:  a. preserves or enhances the special character or appearance of the conservation area and is consistent with the relevant conservation area character appraisal b. preserves trees, hedges, boundary walls, railings, paving and other features within the public realm which contribute positively to the special character or appearance of the conservation area, and c. demonstrates high standards of design and utilises materials appropriate to the historic environment.

Inf 16 Sustainable Energy and Heat Networks Development of low and zero carbon energy schemes including small-scale wind turbine generators, solar panels, ground and air source heat pumps, water source heat and power, heat and/or power networks where energy comes from a renewable/ low carbon source, and energy storage schemes that help support low and zero carbon energy schemes will be supported provided the proposals: a. do not cause significant harm to the local environment, including natural heritage interests and the character and appearance of listed buildings and conservation areas and, b. will not unacceptably affect the amenity of neighbouring and future occupiers or users of open space by reason of, for example, noise emission or visual dominance.

Further Details Here

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95 Princes Street

Posted on: November 13, 2024

The precedent that could be set is enormous

The precedent that could be set is enormous

Cockburn Response

We have objected to this application.  This is an A listed building which is the last remaining Georgian townhouse on Princes Street to have preserved its original configuration.

The precedent that could be set is enormous and flies in the face of many decades of established approach. The open cellar with entrance platt is a key characteristic of the New Town.

Applications relating to A-listed buildings should be accompanied by a comprehensive heritage statement.  This is not provided and therefore the actual or potential impact on  the remaining heritage features on this site cannot be adequately assessed.

This application should be assessed against relevant policies in the the recently approved City  Plan 2030.  These include:

Env 9 World Heritage Sites    Development which would harm the qualities of World Heritage Sites and which justifed the inscription of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh and/or the Forth Bridge as World Heritage Sites (i.e. their Outstanding Universal Value) or would have a detrimental impact upon their setting, will not be permitted.

Env 12 Listed Buildings and structures – Alterations and Extensions    Proposals to alter or extend a listed building will be permitted where: a. there will be no harm to the special interest of the building and its features, b. there will be no damage or loss of important historic fabric, and c. any additions are of a high-quality design that are appropriate to the character of the building.

Env 14 Conservation Areas – Development Development within a conservation area, afecting its setting or impacting views of the area and from within it will be supported by this policy where it:  a. preserves or enhances the special character or appearance of the conservation area and is consistent with the relevant conservation area character appraisal b. preserves trees, hedges, boundary walls, railings, paving and other features within the public realm which contribute positively to the special character or appearance of the conservation area, and c. demonstrates high standards of design and utilises materials appropriate to the historic environment.

Env 38 – Shopfronts Planning permission will be granted for alterations to shopfronts which are improvements on existing and relate sensitively and harmoniously to the building as a whole. Particular care will be taken over proposals for the installation of illuminated advertising panels and projecting signs, blinds, canopies, security grills and shutters to avoid harm to the visual amenity of shopping streets or the character of historic environments.

Further Details Here

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Lawnmarket cafe extension

Posted on: November 8, 2024

Public space will be infringed

Public space will be infringed

Cockburn Response

We have no objection to the change of use.  However, the proposed outside seating area will infringe public space and will be a potential source of noise and disturbance for nearby residents. If approved. regular monitoring of noise levels should be enforced to maintain residential amenity.

Further Details Here

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