Filmhouse

Posted on: June 14, 2024

All essential steps towards re-establishing this venue

All essential steps towards re-establishing this venue

Cockburn Response

The Cockburn supports this application associated with re-establishing Filmhouse.

The proposed improvements and essential internal maintenance projects  should make the Filmhouse a more comfortable, accessible and welcoming venue for people to come together to watch films and to talk about them.

Upgrading seating, improving movement across foyer areas and the building more generally, refurbishing  toilets, improving support for the less able and general redecoration are all essential steps towards re-establishing the Filmhouse after a difficult hiatus in its availability to Edinburgh residents and visitors.

 

 

 

Further Details Here

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Caledonian Brewery

Posted on: June 7, 2024

Considerable potential as an attractive and liveable residential community

Considerable potential as an attractive and liveable residential community

Cockburn Response

The Cockburn Association supports this application.
This application was the subject of a recent presentation to our Policy and Development Committee  by the development team and the proposals were well received  by our committee members.
In our view this is a good scheme which demonstrates the successful and sustainable reuse of a range of heritage buildings for residential purposes and the sensitive infill of the remaining site with new or rebuilt accommodation.  It has considerable potential as an attractive and liveable residential community.
However, it is disappointing that little information is  provided relating to affordable or accessible housing provision or  accessible parking provision.  It is to be hoped that this oversight is addressed.

Further Details Here

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Former Royal High School proposals win Cockburn support

Posted on: May 17, 2024

The Association supports proposals to refurbish and repurpose the former Royal High School into a National Centre for Music.

The Association supports proposals to refurbish and repurpose the former Royal High School into a National Centre for Music.

Cockburn Response

The Association has examined the planning and listed building consent applications by the Royal High School Preservation Trust for the repurposing and refurbishment of the former Royal High School.  We have recollected our substantial history of engagement with this iconic structure, acknowledged as the one of the finest Greek Revival building in the world, more than justifying its Category A-listing.  We have also benefited from a detailed site visit with the applicant and architects, when we were able to assess the internal changes as well as external.

The Association supports the proposals to form new premises for the National Centre for Music including music rehearsal and performance spaces, licensed cafe /restaurant and bar facilities, offices, internal and external alterations, landscaping, public realm including provision of external multi-use space for temporary events/festival uses.

We agree with the assessment of Historic Environment Scotland that the proposals would return the main building closer to its original solitary setting on the site.  The loss of most of the later buildings will enable the Hamilton building to have greater visual clarity in its landscape setting with Calton Hill.  We particular welcome the new landscape structure which provides new pleasure grounds and event spaces around the main building.  This will have a both a positive impact on the setting of this A-listed building as well as enhancing the character of this part of the Conservation Area.

The reduction in scope of the proposals from both the failed hotel schemes and the abandoned Music School scheme results in much “lighter touch” internal changes.  We are particularly supportive of the use of existing lower spaces rather than previous ideas which involved significant (and expensive) alterations.   Additionally, we accept the interventions to facilitate barrier free access – such as the new openings proposed for the east and west pavilions.

Finally, the opening up and access to the previously hidden belvedere/clock tower at the south-east corner is a welcome outcome.

For the sake of clarity, we note the changes in level proposed at the Western pavilion end, but feel that these are proportionate in order to facilitate the wider and more flexible use of proposed new facilities.  Bringing otherwise hidden areas of landscape around the building into active use is also supportable.

In summary, we welcome these proposals, believing that they result in a suitable reuse but in a manner which reinforces the essential heritage value of the site, rather than detracting from it.

 

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Mortonhall

Posted on: May 3, 2024

Edinburgh’s Greenbelt is part of the character of the city.

Edinburgh’s Greenbelt is part of the character of the city.

Cockburn Response

As an organisation the Cockburn Association works to promote the conservation and enhancement of both Edinburgh’s landscape and its historical and architectural heritage. It has a long history of campaigning and intervention when the plans of central and local government and those of private developers threaten the unique character of the city.

Edinburgh’s Greenbelt is such an issue, and the organisation has consistently monitored its evolution from its implementation in 1957 to the present day. Our interventions and constructive comments have inevitably occurred mainly when areas of land designated as greenbelt have been eroded and thereby considerably reduced in size.

In this context  we do not support this application.  However, we look forward to discussing the details of this  proposed development with members of the development team in due course.

Further Details Here

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Finance House

Posted on: April 28, 2024

In our view the approved residential redevelopment should go ahead

In our view the approved residential redevelopment should go ahead

Cockburn Response

We do not support this application.

This former office block has already achieved planning permission  for part change of use and part redevelopment to mainstream residential use.  In our view this approved redevelopment should go ahead.

In November 2023, Councillors during a Full Council meeting in Edinburgh overwhelmingly voted to recognise and seek to address the scale of Edinburgh’s housing crisis by officially declaring a Housing Emergency.

In view of this declaration we believe that it would be inconsistent with this declaration for the Council to approve this new application.

Further Details Here

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Makars’ Court gazebo

Posted on: April 27, 2024

We understand that Makars’ Court is a Common Good asset

We understand that Makars’ Court is a Common Good asset

Cockburn Response

We object to this application which, in our view, represents the commercialisation of an important area of public space which provides heritage interest, amenity and access in the heart of the Old Town.  We cannot support this proposed change of use.

The City of Edinburgh Museums Service  describes Makars’ Court as ‘an evolving national monument’ with ‘famous words of great Scottish authors inscribed in the flagstones’.  This application does not support the court’s continuing development as al literary heritage asset.

We understand that Makars’ Court is a Common Good asset.  Under Part 8 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, Local Authorities as required to carry out a consultation exercise when seeking to change the use, or sell, any properties forming part of the Common Good. This application includes an area of commercial space and represents a change of use, in our view, and, as such, representation should have been sought on this proposal through an appropriate consultation. exercise in the terms of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 .

Further Details Here

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Proposed Student Accommodation Dunedin Street (Revised)

Posted on: April 19, 2024

An opportunity to engage residents in the preparation of a Local Place Plan

An opportunity to engage residents in the preparation of a Local Place Plan

Cockburn Response

We acknowledge that this revised application seeks to address issues of concern raised in relation to the original, similar application on this site including overdevelopment, lack of sympathy with local built character, lack of internal/external amenity space, lack of private/public greenspace, poor integration of waste and recycling facilities.
However, our comments in relation to the original application remain relevant.
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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Mecca Bingo Hall Manderston Street

Posted on:

A new Edinburgh-wide  student needs assessment is now urgently required

A new Edinburgh-wide  student needs assessment is now urgently required

Cockburn Response

The Cockburn Association supports this application.

 

We acknowledge that this  is a constrained site with development challenges.  Bearing this in mind, PBSA redevelopment is an acceptable use of the site which will secure much of the remaining external heritage interest.

 

This former mill has been extensively modified over its history and most of its heritage features have been lost.  However,  we would ask that an effort be made to salvage any remaining  art deco features of interest either for reuse on site or for incorporation into other projects elsewhere.

 

We are generally supportive of PBSA developments which feature cluster flats in their design since these offer a better student living environment and are more likely to offer future opportunities for conversion to mainstream housing should market demand  for student housing diminish.

 

We are aware of local concerns regarding this and nearby student accommodation developments in the context of the city’s ongoing housing emergency.   It is now essential that the City of Edinburgh Council commissions an independent data-driven student needs assessment for Edinburgh  to inform the Council’s current and  future  planning  position on student housing needs in the City.

 

It is clear that Edinburgh has a significant and varied housing need  with many permanent and transitory residents facing real challenges  in their search for  suitable and affordable accommodation.  A growing student population runs the risk of exasperating an already difficult balance of housing needs and supply.

 

A new Edinburgh-wide  student needs assessment is now urgently required  to provide a robust evidence base from which consideration can be given to how to manage student accommodation now and in the future, including reviewing the threshold for the numbers of university students living outside of managed accommodation; and policies for the delivery of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).

Further Details Here

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Ratcliffe Terrace Demolition and PBSA Development

Posted on: April 13, 2024

The continued demolition of perfectly sound and usable buildings is simply unsupportable

The continued demolition of perfectly sound and usable buildings is simply unsupportable

Cockburn Response

The Cockburn objects this application.

The proposed demotion  of the current building on Ratcliffe Terrace cannot be justified.  This quirky,  distinctive and highly  original building is clearly suitable for continued use or  for imaginative conversion.  It is of some local heritage interest and  a valuable survivor of a Newington streetscape that has lost many similar features of interest and distinction over the years.  In the current climate emergency the continued demolition of perfectly sound and usable buildings such as this  is simply unsupportable.

We consider that the proposed six-storey purpose-built student residential development has nothing to recommend it.   It  is of a poor architectural design  whose  height, scale, bulk, massing, horizontal pattern and materiality are odds with the prevailing streetscape.   We question whether this proposal has appropriate levels of internal and external amenity space, external greenspace and adequate access and servicing arrangements.

The design of the proposed building seems to anticipate the potential for future expansion onto adjacent light industrial areas should these become available for redevelopment.

We also note local concerns regarding the increasing concentration of student accommodation  blocks in this area of the city.  These concerns underline the need  for objective, comprehensive and data-driven student needs assessments to accompany every PBSA application.

 

Further Details Here

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Edinburgh Park Arena

Posted on: March 8, 2024

The Association has long advocated the development of a larger-scale indoor arena

The Association has long advocated the development of a larger-scale indoor arena

Cockburn Response

The Cockburn Association supports this application.

 

The Association has long advocated the development of a larger-scale indoor arena on the outskirts of the city to compliment the range of indoor and outdoor venues currently available across the city.

 

This proposal is well placed to take advantage of sustainable transport modes and we commend the developer’s commitment to reducing both embodied carbon during construction and operational carbon post construction.

 

Overall, if approved, this development should support, diversify and grow the city’s entertainment and conference economy while taking pressure of the city’s public openspace and greenspace sites which are currently used in a less tan sustainable manner as temporary venues.

Further Details Here

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