Cluny Avenue Monopole

Cockburn Response

The Cockburn Association objects to this proposal for a telecommunications monopole and associated cabinets on Cluny Avenue, within the Morningside Conservation Area.

The proposed siting is inappropriate. The mast would sit immediately beside a very busy bus stop, where the surrounding space is already heavily used throughout the day. This is an important seating area for residents.  Introducing a substantial pole and cabinets at this point would constrict pedestrian movement and reduce comfort and safety for bus users at one of the area’s key public transport stops.

We acknowledge that the application proposes the relocation of the existing public seating. However, if the scheme is revised, it is essential that the seating is fully retained and that no layout results in its loss or in reduced accessibility for those who rely on a place to rest while waiting for the bus.

There is also no evidence that alternative or shared locations have been meaningfully explored. In a Conservation Area, where minimising visual and physical clutter is a priority, the absence of such analysis is a significant weakness in the proposal. The cumulative spread of poles, cabinets, and related equipment continues to erode the coherence of Edinburgh’s historic streetscape.

Although Scottish Government regulations limit the Council’s ability to refuse telecommunications applications, this does not remove the responsibility to avoid pedestrian pinch points, high-use bus stops, and sensitive locations within the historic environment.

We therefore urge the Council to reject this application unless a less intrusive location, preferably through mast-sharing or consolidation, is identified, ensuring that telecommunications upgrades are delivered without diminishing the accessibility or amenity of this important public space.