Fairmilehead Community Council meeting held on Tuesday 6 September 2016 in Parish Church

Present: Dennis Williams (Chair); Sandy Macpherson (Vice Chair); Norman Tinlin (Secretary); Fiona Simon (Treasurer); Colin Anderson; Johanna Carrie; Barbara Dick (Buckstone Association); Carol Lonie (Buckstone Youth); Tom Strathdee;

Ex Officio: Councillor Aitken; WPC Sonja Kaiser; Gordon Lindhurst MSP (Part)

14 members of the public

Apologies: Alison & Ian Elfick; Councillors Lewis & Rust; Ian Murray MP; George Symonds

1. Police Report WPC Kaiser gave her report for August. It was mainly garages and sheds that had been broken into – 9 in Pentland Drive; 1 in each of Buckstone Circle, Buckstone Loan, Pentland View and Camus Place East. There was a housebreaking in Queen Margaret Close where a car had been stolen. There had been some minor road traffic offences on the bypass and 3 minor thefts.

Attention had also been given to parking issues around schools. There had been no youth trouble in the area during the school holidays

PC Graeme Howie was arranging to hold a home security event in St Fillans but date still be negotiated.

Note: It was subsequently ascertained that this event is being held on Thursday 6 October between 6.30pm and 8.30pm in St Fillans, Buckstone Drive.

The Secretary drew attention to 2 reports that were to be presented to the Police and Fire Scrutiny Committee the following Friday.

The first was the Your View Count survey the results of which are contained in the following link at Appendix 4, page 52 onwards:. http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/51703/item_62_- _scrutiny_committee_context_report_-_april_2016_-_june_2016

The other was a report on Police officer numbers in at: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/51705/item_64_- _police_officer_numbers_at_30_june_2016

Should you wish to contact the Community Policing Team, you can do so by email at EdinburghCPTColintonFairmilehead@.pnn.police.uk or by telephoning the new national non-emergency number 101. There is also a Police Surgery on Wednesdays between 1700 and 1800 hours at Library.

Note: Following on from a decision taken by the community officers attending our meetings are no longer able to provide printed or e-mail copies of their reports. Only verbal reports will be given.

2. Minute Of Meeting Held On 7 June 2016 These were approved by the meeting.

3. Matters Arising: a) Community Council Elections The Returning Officer, Cllr Aitken, said that she had nomination forms with her for those persons who were interested in standing. The candidate, proposer and seconder must all reside within the 1 © Fairmilehead Community Council community council area and be on the voters roll. Completed forms required to be in her hands by 4pm on Monday 26 September b) Pedestrian Crossing, Buckstone Terrace at Waterfield Road This was covered in Cllr Aitken’s report.

4. Correspondence a) Licensing – Liquor licence application for September 2016y Board meeting (None in area) b) Marie Curie – Details of Dinner down Memory Lane event (On noticeboard) c) Care UK/Greenspace Trust – Offer of community gardening at Cairdean House, Redford Road d) Edinburgh Airport – Extension of time regarding Airspace consultation e) Invest Edinburgh magazine – July to October 2016 edition

5. Gordon Lindhurst MSP The Chair asked Mr Lindhurst to address the meeting. He introduced himself and stated he was elected last May. He was one of the three Conservative list MSPs for and he was the Convener of the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee.

Apart from constituent enquiries the big issues are how the EU referendum is likely to affect Scotland and prospects of a further independence referendum.

The Chair raised the concern of the community regarding housebreaking and perceived lack of punishment of offenders when caught and put in front of the courts.

Mr Lindhurst said he was having a meeting shortly with the Divisional commander and he would raise our concerns there.

His contact details can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/msps/currentmsps/gordon-lindhurst- msp.aspx

6. Councillors’ Reports Councillor Aitken distributed copies of her report:

1. Community Council Elections The nomination period opened yesterday, Monday 5 Sept. Requests for forms come to me as Returning Officer and I will distribute the relevant paperwork. All forms must be returned by 4pm on Monday 26 September, The elected representatives' forms are returned to me and the nominated representatives’ forms are returned to the Community Council Liaison Officer, Once I have checked that all nominees. Proposers and seconders are on the electoral roll and reside In the Community Council area. I Will then contact the elected community councillors and call the nest meeting 2. School Closures All schools have now reopened and have settled in for the new session 3. Pentland View There are a number of issues still to be considered and I have contacted the planner for clarification on whether reports have now been requested and received. As yet, there is no date for consideration by the Development Management Sub Committee 4. Waste Issues I continue to receive complaints about missed collections and unemptied street bins. There has been publicity about work practices within the service and my Group is looking into this. 5. Parking at Pentland PS Again, cars have been parked badly near the school entrance. I have reported this to the police and asked the parking attendants to monitor this. 6. 8oroughmuir High School

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At Full Council, I congratulated the team from the school who won the UK Young Consumers of the Year Trophy. The school has a strong history of success in the competition I also asked a question about the handover date for the new school which has been delayed again. I will; report further next month. 7. Buckstone PS Mrs Susan Imrie has now started as Head Teacher. I attended lhe Parent Council AGM last week where I updated on the progress of the proposed hall Cala and David Wilson Homes will make the final sector 75 payment when planning permission is granted The application is going to the Planning Committee on 28'" September The building warrant applications have also been submitted. Once approvals and the payment are in place. a 15 week tender period will commence and a contractor should be appointed by me end of March 8. Review of School Crossing Patrol Service The first review of the School Crossing Patrol Service since 1996 will take place All assessments will take place between Sam and 9am from 5th to 30th September. Crossing Patrol Guides, Head Teachers and parents have been informed. If the review suggests any changes to existing locations for crossing guides, consultation will take place with the school communities 9. New Crossing in Buckstone Terrace Following the consultation period, there was widespread support for a crossing but not for the proposed location for !he bus stop. The new Road Safety and Active Travel Manager, Andrew Easson. is now in post. A designer is working on new plans and I will meet with him to look at the options proposed. 10. Pentland Community Safety Action Group The Group met last night and your representative, Tom Strathdee will report on Issues discussed. 11, No Cold Calling Zone Margaret Rose Owner's Association, working with Trading Standards, has successfully made the estate a No Cold Calling zone. Street signs will be displayed on lampposts and residents encouraged to display the door/window stickers. 12. Aldi Development The legal process is now complete and works will start shortly. 13. Hunter's Tryst Site Hopefield Partnership has lodged a Proposal of Application Notice for a proposed residential development consisting of 70-80 units of affordable housing with associated roads, parking. infrastructure and landscaping with a proposed public consultation at Oxgangs Library, from 3.30pm to 7.30pm on the 5'" of October 2016. 14 Braldburn Valley Park The Friends of BVP once again organised a very successful Tea in the Park event last Saturday. The forecasted rain didn't appear and many local residents enjoyed the attractions on offer. 15. Council Election in 2017 After much thought and discussions with my husband and family, I have decided not to stand for election again next year. I will continue to work with you fully until next May.

Comments raised were parked vehicles opposite Waterfield Road causing holdups when traffic waiting to turn right; Graffiti on container in “water board” field; dog fouling in the field and along new path; overflowing refuse bin at Biggar Road shops.

In the absence of Councillor Rust, the Secretary distributed copies of his report.

It is Primary School Parent Council tomorrow evening so apologies for your meeting. Report as follows: 1. Following approval at the Transport and Environment Committee in March, contractors have now been appointed to carry out a review of the School Crossing Patrol Service. The service has not been formally reviewed since the Council took over the management of the service from the Police in 1996 and this means many of the existing sites are historical and transport patterns may have changed over time. Letters were sent to all school crossing guides to let them know the review is taking place throughout September and a letter was to be sent out to Head Teachers and parents on Monday of this week. If the review suggests any changes to existing locations for crossing guides, consultation will take place with school communities and the outcome of this consultation and any recommendations will be taken to Transport and Environment. 3 © Fairmilehead Community Council

2. We continue to await the Scottish Ministers' sign off on the final recommendations by the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland. There is no statutory deadline by which time they must do this, but clearly for political party purposes and for production of electoral registers etc it is now becoming time critical. 3. Joan Hewton, the Assessor and Chief Electoral Registration Officer for announced at the Lothian Joint Valuation Board meeting yesterday her retirement as at 31 December 2016 and steps will be taken to recruit a new Assessor. At that meeting it was also commented regarding the proposals to vary the rates collected in council tax from band E to H properties. This is to be taken forward very shortly via an affirmative Scottish Statutory Instrument. Once laid before the Scottish Parliament, the Parliament's Local Government and Communities Committee will have a few weeks to consider and report on this. 4. Waste issues continue to be an ongoing concern. Our group is also raising customer contact experience given issues with on-line reporting, abandoned telephone calls and waiting times etc. There needs to be improvement! 5. In relation to the Farmhouse application, there are still several outstanding issues with the proposal relating to tree removal, the proposed vehicle access, waste removal, and drainage; which require further assessment before a final determination on the proposal can be made. Consequently, the planning case officer is unable at present to advise what date the application will be presented to the Development Management Sub-Committee for consideration. 6. I was sorry to learn of the death of George Lightheart who was a stalwart of both Community Council and the Pentland Centre for many years. I know that Elaine, Dennis and others attended his funeral and he will be sadly missed.

In the absence of Councillor Lewis the Secretary distributed copies of his report.

Remit Edinburgh International Cultural Summit The 3rd Edinburgh International Culture Summit runs from 24 to 26 August 2016. The Edinburgh International Culture Summit brings together Culture Ministers, artists, thinkers and arts leaders from around the world to share ideas, expertise and best practice, with a view to inspiring positive change in cultural policy and investment. The theme of Summit 2016, ‘Culture: Building Resilient Communities’ reflects the Summit’s strong belief in the vital role that culture plays in the life of any successful community. I will be attending the Gala Dinner on the 24th August at the Scottish Parliament along with the Chief Executive. Shanghai Culture Week Shanghai Culture Week took place in Edinburgh at the beginning of August and was a fantastic showcase of the talents from one of China’s largest cities. The opening concert at the EICC featured three of the Shanghai’s top youth orchestras – the Shanghai Young Philharmonic Orchestra, the Shanghai City Symphony Orchestra and the Shanghai City Young Symphony Orchestra - performing a programme of Western and Eastern classical music, including works by Grieg, Handel, Bizet and Tianhua. Other public events for Shangha Culture Week included a free exhibition of Shanghai Design at the EICC and the ‘History Meets Innovation’ fashion show, featuring the Chinese cheongsam dress, at the National Museum of Scotland on 11th August. Music is Audible Working Group The consultation on the change to the inaudibility clause in the current Licensing Policy has concluded and a report on the results and feedback from the consultation was considered by the Licensing Board at its meeting on 29th August 2016. The decision taken was to hold a hearing – allowing those for and against the policy change to make their case to the Board members. Culture & Sport Committee This took place on Tuesday 23rd August and we had a presentation from Duncan Hendry, Chief Executive of Festival City Theatres Trust on their performance over the last financial year. We also heard from Nick Bone and Saras Feijoos about the successes of the Edinburgh Performing Arts Development Project.

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The committee discussed reports on plans to commemorate Elsie Inglis, the Edinburgh MELA, and Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay key performance indicators. Launch of the 2016 Green Pencil Award I was delighted to join the pupils from Preston Street Primary School and the children’s author Vivien French at Princes Street Gardens for the launch of the 2016 Green Pencil Award .This year’s theme for the annual writing competition is Scotland’s Glorious Gardens and pupils from P4 to P7 can write a poem or a short story which focuses on anything from a memorable visit to a Scottish garden like the Royal Botanic Gardens or a creative depiction of what the ideal Scottish garden would look and smell like. Transfer of management responsibility for school sport facilities The Council has agreed, in principle, to transfer the management of school sport facilities to Edinburgh Leisure. This will begin with the new James Gillespies High School and further new build high schools will be transferred as they open to pupils. The plan is that the transfer for all twenty high schools (including Firrhill High School) will be completed by the start of the 2017/18 curricular year. Constituency PPP1 School Closures The independent inquiry into Edinburgh’s school closures has started and is being led by respected construction and procurement industry expert John Cole CBE. All pupils were back in their own schools as normal for the start of the new session on Wednesday 17 August. In total, 17 schools were closed with 7,600 pupils affected as we put in place a huge logistical plan to provide alternative arrangements. More than 5,000 children were educated at over 70 different schools and education facilities during the three months until the summer holidays. The report into the school closures is expected to be finished by the end of the year. Waste There are still waste issues arising across the City and missed collections and complaints are still around twice the level of 2014. TTRO Nothing to report.

7. Pentlands Neighbourhood Partnership The Secretary reported that the next public meeting was being held at the Pentland Community Centre on 27 September (venue later changed to Bowling Club). He also reported on the Funding Panel meeting held on 17 August.

Tom Strathdee reported on the Community Safety Action Group meeting which had been held the previous evening. He covered the following items – look after high value cycles; aggressive cycling in the Pentlands; dangerous parking round schools; decoy bus being used and catching youths throwing bottles at it. The next meeting is in March.

8. Planning and Environment The Planning Report had been distributed electronically prior to the meeting. A copy is attached as Appendix A.As Colin Anderson, the planning representative, had not yet arrived at this point from a Civic Forum meeting the Secretary responded to questions on the landscaping on the Scottish Water site and the proposed film studios at Straiton.

Colin arrived at this point and reported on SESPlan where still had to meet to decide the matter and the recent planning review. He also distributed booklets on Open Doors Day.

The Secretary drew attention the consultation on the Open Space Strategy details of which can be found at: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/openspace2021/ Closing date is 21 October 2016.

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9. Transport The Secretary informed the meeting that First Bus had not renewed their contract for the off peak 18 service. This had been awarded to Lothian Buses. This meant that there was a single provider for all buses on the route. Further information on supported bus services was available at: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/51593/item_71_- _supported_bus_service_network_%E2%80%93_update

10. AOCB Johanna Carrie informed the meeting that Transition Edinburgh Pentlands were holding a talk on Community Gardens on 8 September at the Pentland Centre. She also informed the meeting that Buckstone Primary should now have their solar panels installed.

Johanna also admitted that she had breached the Code of Conduct for Community Councillors and had passed information which was confidential to a person(s) outside Fairmilehead CC. She had also passed to the private e-mail addresses of members to the EACC Secretary.

The Vice Chair commented that he was standing down but had enjoyed his time as a community councillor and commended standing to all. He also thanked the Chair and Secretary for their work for the community.

Carol Lonie reported that the Youth Club was starting back the following Mon day. In previous years they received a grant of £500 from the Council towards running costs. This year there was no grant.

There was going to be a joint Halloween event with Buckstone Primary and the Project would be suppling teas and coffees at the police home security event.

11. Date Of Next Meeting

This was arranged for Tuesday 4 October 2016 in Fairmilehead Parish Church.

Forthcoming Meetings:

Tuesday 1 November 2016 Tuesday 6 December 2016 Tuesday 10 January 2017

Contacts: e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.fairmileheadcc.org.uk

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Appendix A

Planning Report – Tuesday 6 September 2016

A. FAIRMILEHEAD CC - LIVE

1. Demolition of existing buildings, erection of 37 flats, formation of new site entrance and parking area, landscaping works and all other associated works - Comiston Farmhouse, 83 Pentland View Reference :- 16/ 02397/FUL

This is the application by Chamberlain Bell Limited which was the subject of a presentation at the FCC Meeting on 5 April 2016. As the development has less than 50 units, no formal pre-consultation exercise was required by the Council. Comments required to be submitted to the Planning Service by Friday 8 July 2016 – the public consultation is therefore now closed. The next step will be for the report by the Planning Officials to be submitted to the DMC – no date for this has so far been advised.

An attempt to have Comiston Farmhouse made a listed building was unsuccessful. In a decision issued on 26 May 2016, Historic Environment Scotland ruled that the building was not considered to meet the criteria for listing – Case ID 300017878.

2. Fairmilehead Water Works Development – DW Homes – application for non-material variation to use smooth buff block in lieu of grey eternity cladding Reference :- 14/03091/VAR2

This application lodged on 21 July 2016 seeks approval to change the external finish of the apartment block which is currently under construction at the rear of the Charwood. This finish of smooth ashlar stone is what has already been used on the houses in the development. I have been in touch with DW Homes about this.

3. Proposed Edinburgh Local Development Plan (LDP) Scottish Government Appeals Division Reference :- LDP – 230 -2 www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk

The Examination Report into unresolved issues raised in representations to the draft Plan was submitted to Edinburgh Council on 5 July 2016. The Council summarised all 4,168 unresolved representations which were split into 24 issues. All of these and associated matters were considered by the 3 Reporters through this examination. Their Report runs to over 880 pages.

The Examination Report will be considered by the Planning Committee at a meeting on 5 September 2016. The recommendations are largely binding on the Council. The LDP as modified will then be published by the Council and notified to Scottish Ministers. Those who made representations in 2014 will be notified, but there is no provision to make responses at this stage. The formal adoption of the LDP by the Council is likely in October/November 2016.

The following relate to the FCC area:-

(i) Issue 4 – Table 6 – Appendix B - Local centres (page 100) Modifications proposed Mayfield Road and Buckstone Terrace Designate new local centres on the proposals map to include the parades of shops at 55 to 69 Mayfield Road and 2 to16 Buckstone Terrace, and add these to Table 6 (5).

Oxgangs Local Centre

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Extend the area of the local centre as shown on the proposals map to include the public house and library, and the site of St John’s Church and the former Social Work Centre, the latter in accordance with the layout plan for the proposed supermarket (ALDI) for which the council is minded to grant planning permission.

Local Centres Amend the addresses under the Avenue and Oxgangs Local Centres to include the addresses of the extensions proposed, and omit the word “Broadway” from the title of the Oxgangs Local Centre

(ii) Issue 14 (page 255) Broomhills Housing development (HSG 21): Vehicular access should be taken from Frogston Road East and Road with no direct route between the two access points. No vehicular access (including emergency) should be taken from Broomhills Road

(iii) Issue 17 (page 592) - No modification proposed As regards Winton Gardens, the reporter concluded that this site would make a relatively small contribution to the housing land supply and was not sufficient to overcome the concerns raised. Consequently she did not consider that this site should be included in the LDP. As regards Frogston Road West, the reporter considered all the advantages and detriments to the established character of the area. She concluded that this site should also not be allocated for housing and should be retained within the green belt.

4. SESplan

On Monday 20 June 2016 publication of SESplan's Proposed Strategic Development Plan 2 (“ the Plan”) for representations was approved by the SESplan Joint Committee. This Plan has been prepared after consideration of the feedback from the Main Issues Report consultation last year and in partnership with the 6 SESplan councils. It is expected that this Plan will replace the current Strategic Development Plan in 2018. Over the next few months following publication, the Joint Committee's decision will have to be confirmed by all 6 of the SESplan Councils. Once this is complete, the Plan will be published in September 2016 and everyone will have the opportunity to comment on it for a period of 6 weeks. In order to allow a longer time to review this Plan, a preview version of the Plan and the accompanying documents are already available to view on the website http://www.sesplan.gov.uk/.

At its meeting on 11 August the Planning Committee supported the decision by the SESplan Joint Committee to approve the Plan for publication for representations and referred this to the full Council for ratification. This will come before the full Council at its meeting on 25 August 2016.

B. FAIRMILEHEAD CC - PENDING

5. Miller Homes, Land to the East of Winton Gardens, Edinburgh Reference :- 15/02778/PAN

No update.

6. Proposed new build hall located at front of school with new hall connection and minor alteration to admin area. Proposed minor alterations to landscaping and alteration to existing hard-standing and access road layout at Buckstone Primary School Reference:- 16/02773/FUL

This application is awaiting a decision.

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7. Proposed mountain bike trails and other activities at the former Lothianburn Golf Course – Swanston Farms Limited Reference :- 15/00169/PAN

Nothing has been heard about this application for several months.

C. FAIRMILEHEAD CC – COMPLETED

8. Installation of an ATM to the right side of the shop front at 6B Biggar Road Reference :- 16/02781/FUL

In this application Note Machine Limited seek approval for the installation of an ATM. This was granted as a Local Fast Track Decision on 25 July 2016.

9. Proposed new composting toilet at Golf Course, Braid Road Reference :- 16/02944/FUL

This application seeks approval for a proposed new single unisex composting toilet, located in a small wooden building at a central position on the golf course. The toilet will be maintained and serviced in accordance with a Management Plan. There is no requirement for a store for the collection of waste or recycling. This application was granted on 13 August 2016.

10. Planning Committee Visit – 16 June 2016

Each year, the Planning Committee visit a number of recently completed developments in Edinburgh. Those attending include members of the Planning Committee, Planning officials, representatives of the Edinburgh Design Forum and the Director of the Cockburn Association. Their latest visit included the Water Board Development. CCs were invited to send a representative for the first time and I attended on behalf of FCC. I found this very useful and interesting and was asked plenty of questions.

D. GENERAL TOPICS – Edinburgh and Midlothian

11. Building Warrants – changes in submission processes From 24 August 2016 building warrant applications can be submitted using the new national eBuilding Standards online service. This will allow building warrants and other related forms, such as amendments to warrants, start of work notices and completion certificates to be submitted electronically using this new service. This should bring a number of benefits, making the process of submitting applications simple and saving applicants and agents time and money. The Council’s existing Building Warrant website will be replaced by this new service.

12. Review of Planning As previously mentioned, the independent panel published their report on 31 May 2016. A Response by the Scottish Government was published on 11 July 2016. Scottish Ministers welcomed the report, and for them bringing forward a coherent programme of planning reform for the coming years is a priority. Ten immediate actions will be taken forward, e.g. finalise draft advice on planning for housing and infrastructure, identify how permitted development rights - where planning permission is not needed - could be extended, introduce pilot simplified planning zones for housing where planning permission is granted for housing up front – this could cause difficulties for communities - and consult on enhanced fees to ensure planning authorities are better resourced. Work will also be done in the coming months to develop more detailed proposals on other recommendations, e.g. establish working groups to focus on each of the 6 key themes addressed by the review and a working group to identify barriers to involvement in planning. Consultation will also start on a White Paper in the Autumn/Winter 2016 which will enable a new Planning Bill to be brought forward in 2017.

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13. The Edinburgh Planning Concordat 2016 The Concordat was first agreed in 2010 by the Council and the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce as a way of working together when major developments are proposed. It was updated in 2013 in include CCs and became a tri-partite agreement. Last year consultation started on a refreshed version involving the Edinburgh Association of Community Councils and the Edinburgh Development Forum. It aims to set out the role of the 3 parties in the major development process. Following comments received, a refreshed Concordat was produced. This was approved by the Planning Committee at its meeting on 11 August 2016. Individual CCs will be asked to sign up to the refreshed Concordat. FCC intend to sign up.

14. Calderstones , demolition of existing dwelling house, erection of hotel, formation of access roads and associated works – Midlothian Council Reference :- 15/00113/PPP

No update.

15. Application for a film and TV studio and mixed employment uses; hotel; gas and heat power plant/energy centre at Old Pentland, – Midlothian Council Reference :- 15/00364/PPP Scottish Government Appeals Division Reference :- PPA-290 -2032 www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk

*Case Update - 10 August 2016* - Scottish Ministers have decided that they will determine this case. A reporter, Mr David Buylla, has been appointed, and instead of determining the appeal, will submit a report to Scottish Ministers. The reporter has identified a requirement for additional environmental information on the effects on bats; the combined heat and power plant; the A701 relief road; noise and vibration effects from backlots; site selection; and cumulative effects. This information has now been received and is, as required, being advertised to allow parties to submit comments on the submissions. The closing date for comments on this and any further submissions is end September 2016.

16. Former Royal High School Building at 5-7 Regent Road, Edinburgh (Hotel Development) Reference :- 15/03989/FUL Scottish Government Appeals Division References :- PPA-230-2178 and LBA-230-2076 www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk

2 Reporters have now been appointed to handle these appeals. Work on assessing the written submissions has started and they will be carrying out an unaccompanied site inspection. There will be an interior inspection accompanied by the parties at a later date. It is likely that oral sessions on specific matters will also be required. (Recent Press reports indicate that the developers may be “scaling down” the application.)

17. Former Royal High School Building at 5-7 Regent Road, Edinburgh (Music School) Reference :- 15/05662/FUL and 15/05665/LBC

This is the application by the Royal High School Preservation Trust (RHSPT) to convert the Hamilton building into a new home for St Mary’s Music School. Planning Officers in their report recommend approval saying this will bring the building back into a “long term, sustainable future use” which would be a “significant conservation gain”. This application was approved by the Development Management Sub-committee on 17 August 2016. (Even with approval, RHSPT would not be able to act on this until at least 2022, when the Contract (for obtaining planning permission for this Hotel development) between House Properties, the developers , and the Council ends.)

18. Hermitage Golf Course, 11 Braid Hills Drive, Edinburgh – Redevelopment of golf course comprising demolition of existing clubhouse and erection of new clubhouse incorporating café etc, formation of mountain bike trails and pump track, formation of disc golf course Reference:- 15/00592/PAN

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Last year there was a consultation by Autism Ventures on the above PAN. The café closed its doors on 19 August 2016. It is understood that Autism Ventures is closing down and vacating the whole site in August 2016. It is unlikely that anyone will be pursuing the mountain bike trail proposal. However the planning application has not been withdrawn and a case report is expected to go to the DMC in September.

19. Application for planning permission in principle for Land 1000 metres NW, SW and W of Hermiston Junction M8, Road – proposed residential development, local centre, community facilities (including primary school), green network ( “Phase 1 of the Garden District”) by Murray Estates. Reference:- 15/04318/PPP

This application was called in for determination by Scottish Ministers on 25 July 2016 for the following reasons :- potential impact on statutory works undertaken at the adjacent Science and Advice for Scotland Agriculture (SASA) establishment; prematurity in relation to Edinburgh’s Second proposed Local Development Plan (LDP); and potential impacts on infrastructure within the West Edinburgh Area. A Reporter will be appointed who will submit his report to Scottish Ministers. A hearing or inquiry session may be required to assist the Reporter in making his recommendations to Scottish Ministers.

20. Change of Use to purpose built student accommodation and the erection of 2 new high quality, managed student residences (247 units – now amended to 221 units) at 27,35, 37 – 39 Lanark Road, Edinburgh. Reference:- 15/05401/FUL

As previously mentioned, this application was back on the agenda of the DMC at its meeting on 8 June 2016. At that meeting the DMC agreed “to continue consideration of the matter for the officers to have discussions with the applicant on amended proposals to the design and scale of the development.” This relates solely to Block 2, i.e. that part which would occupy the site presently occupied by the Blue Goose Country Pub. This is ongoing.

Colin W Anderson Planning Representative

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