Proposed Event Space St James Crescent
Posted on: August 23, 2024
This proposal must inevitably impeded pedestrian and wheeling access.
Address: St James Crescent Edinburgh
Proposal: Erection of structures and enclosures including bar, stretch tent, support area and other associated works to facilitate use of Register Square as an external events space.
Reference: 24/03366/FUL
Closing date for comments: Fri 23 Aug 2024
Determination date: Fri 13 Sep 2024
Cockburn Response
The Cockburn does not support this application.
The site of this proposal was designed as open public space and is currently used as such by a wide range of pedestrians. The proposed scale of the temporary structures and enclosures required to facilitate external events must inevitably impeded pedestrian and wheeling access.
We note the City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Committee previously voted unanimously not to allow a traffic order to be brought into effect on Elder Street, part of St James Square, James Craig Walk, St James Place, Little King Street and Cathedral Lane. We believe that approval of the current application would be inconsistent with the overarching pedestrian focus of the Council’s earlier decision although we understand that the Council’s earlier decision is now potentially subject to review.
Of relevance also is the planning history of the wider site. A Christmas après ski bar – Bar Hutte – was constructed nearby quite recently, following noise complaints from residents, this was closed by the Council. This development had previously be refused planning permission due to concerns relating to noise disturbance.