95 Princes Street

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.