Space at top of Marlborough St

DG · Post by DG » 04 Apr 2004, 10:16

I wondered if any-one knew who owns or who is responsible for the space at the top of Marlborough Street at the corner of the High Street. It seems to be used as a bit of a dumping ground (for dogs as well as a human bucket - pardon the pun!). We live close by and frequently see either people throwing things into this space or people (one in particular with a fluffy big dog

) standing by while their dogs go in and use the space as a toilet. Does any-one know about the space?

DG

Surrealist · Post by **Surrealist** » 04 Apr 2004, 10:36

I would assume that the people to ask are the church whose sign is on the land. If it's not theirs, they will know who the owner is as they obviously have permission to erect an advertisement for when their shaman is casting his particular flavour of incantation.

Or you could ask Pete inside Artefacts, or Javid in Kost Konscious. Both are fountains of local knowledge and will no doubt have similar views to yours with respect to said ground.

Personally, I'm surprised that there is a piece of undeveloped land such as this left anywhere in Edinburgh which hasn't been turned into a prestigious development of exclusive luxury one and two-bedroomed apartments.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 04 Apr 2004, 12:38

Or you could do a search via Registers of Scotland at http://www.ros.gov.uk/citizen/propsearch.html - it'll cost you a tenner though.

Surrealist · Post by **Surrealist** » 04 Apr 2004, 15:25

You could *buy* that bit of land for that.

DG · Post by DG » 04 Apr 2004, 16:56

That made me laugh

, Surrealist. Maybe the church is on to something. Perhaps the sign they've put up is just a decoy to prevent the council from actually noticing there is a wee bit of land left. I'm sure they could try to squeeze at least two luxury designer flats there, one room on top of another.
Thanks for the advice, folks. I'll see if I can find anything out.

DG

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 06 Apr 2004, 19:08

I couldn't picture this bit of land when I made my last post, so I took a wander past on my way to work this morning... This bit of land looks to form part of the "steading" of the house/shop next to it. Accordingly, in Scots law, it would belong to the ground floor property next to it. As to whether that means the house or the shop is another question altogether.

However, if the deeds specify differently, then ownership is determined by the deeds - not by common law. Ultimately, the only way to find out is probably to read the deeds... and that costs a bit more than Ã‚Â£10.

So local knowledge is probably a pretty good common-sense way forward. Alternatively, speak to the council. If the question has been asked before, they might be able to identify the owner for you.

Surrealist · Post by **Surrealist** » 06 Apr 2004, 21:32

Youse are all too late - the Americans invaded it yesterday.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 09 Apr 2004, 20:46

I happened to be passing this spot earlier today and I remembered this thread. I asked the guy who owns the antique/junk shop. He says it doesn't belong to him. I then spoke to the tenants of the ground floor flat that looks out onto it. They have just moved in and understandably aren't too impressed with the view. They are prepared to tidy it up but, like us, they don't know who it belongs to.

Next I spoke to the secretary of the Portobello United Reformed Church. I learned from her that the church has a letter dating from 1918 giving them permission in perpetuity to erect their sign on this piece of land. At the time the owner was a tradesman who had premises in the lane around the corner. The church is well aware that it is an eyesore. Again, they would like to do something with it but don't feel that they can without the owner's permission.

So, I now intend to bring this to the attention of Lawrence Marshall and the Task Force Manager, Robert Davidson. Will keep you posted.

DG · Post by DG » 09 Apr 2004, 21:14

Thanks for doing all that, Bob. I am stuck in with flu and have honestly not been up for enquiring furhter myself. Nice to hear that I'm not the only one who has noticed this area. It'll be a brave person who sticks their hands in there to clean the area after the big fluffy creature has been frequenting the patch for so long!

Thanks again!

DG

Surrealist · Post by **Surrealist** » 10 Apr 2004, 09:24

Nice work Bob - and get well soon DG.

DG · Post by DG » 11 Apr 2004, 10:10

Thanks, Surrealist! I 'm now feeling quite a bit better. I'm looking forward to hearing back from you, Bob after your talks with Lawrence Marshall and the Task Force Manager, Robert Davidson.

DG

Susan · Post by **Susan** » 20 Apr 2004, 00:10

Hi,

I was interested to read that the ownership of this piece of ground was, once again, under question.

Many years ago it was established that the ground belonged to the shop on the corner, once in the ownership of the Nicora family.

The same situation exists at the top of Regent Street, the Cancer Reasearch shop has the fenced ground outside their side window and opposite Projections owns the area at their side.

Hope this points those interested in the right direction!

Susan

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 20 Apr 2004, 17:13

Susan, thanks for this. It ties in with other information I have received regarding this piece of land. Will email you with my findings and let's see if we can sort this out between us.

Lekate · Post by **Lekate** » 20 Apr 2004, 22:58

Im afraid I cant help on the subject of ownership, but as a very responsible dog owner and professional dog walker, I would be more than willing to help tidy the space.
.... just to add as a new user and a new resident, what a fantastic idea this forum is - how refreshing to see a community wanting to rebuild!

DG · Post by DG » 23 Apr 2004, 20:50

Thanks, Susan for the information. I had not expected this to be the case, especially considering Bob had approached the shop keeper who appeared to be unaware of who owned the space. I was also glad to hear that this subject has been discussed already. Lekate, nice to hear from a responsible dog owner! I know there are many of you out there, infact it is only the one dog (not that I hold the dog responsible at all I might add!) that I have seen using this space. I'll let you know if there's any further info.

DG

Susan · Post by **Susan** » 24 Apr 2004, 11:18

Hi,

Could be the shopkeeper is unaware that the section of ground is part of the shop title. The shopkeeper would be interested in the shop premises and it was probably never mentioned if it is a tenanted property. The landlord, if he has not let the ground as part of the shop lease, is the person who is ultimately responsible for what happens to the ground.

It is diffucult enough for shopkeepers to run successful businesses without using this site to knock them.

Many private domestic landlords never put tidying gardens as part of a house let. I know this from living next door to one who must have thought Tarzan needed a new jungle.

Susan

DG · Post by DG » 24 Apr 2004, 12:04

Yes, Susan, it does look like the current shop occupier is unaware of the ownership of this bit of ground as I said in my last post.

I was interested in your comment ;

It is diffucult enough for shopkeepers to run successful businesses without using this site to knock them.

I thought -

Ooohh!! What was that?

I wondered if you could explain who, what and where this particular shop was being 'knocked'? This thread was set up to try to ascertain the ownership of this space, not to then 'knock' local shopkeepers. Have I missed something or picked you up wrongly? Or...vice versa?!?

DG

Susan · Post by **Susan** » 24 Apr 2004, 12:51

Hi,

I just got the feeling that because the man in the shop had said he didn't know anything about the ownership of the ground it was questionable.

There are several other comments elsewhere on the Portobello Online site that knock shopkeepers and I was actually thinking of these comments when I wrote what I did.

I certainly did not think that you (DG) were knocking anyone. I thought you raised some very valid points.

Susan

DG · Post by DG » 24 Apr 2004, 16:14

Point taken, Susan. I agree, there has been some negativity towards some of the local shopkeepers on this site, but I hope not on this topic. Perhaps I was a little sensitive as I try to support local businesses before I have to go elsewhere and would not criticise local businesses just for the sake of it.

DG

Surrealist · Post by **Surrealist** » 24 Apr 2004, 18:42

It's a weird bit of "land" though. The properties round there are a bit of a rabbit warren and whilst there is land (as in earth) down at the marlborough street end of this strip, the bit nearest the main road seems to be some sort of roof, maybe of a basement, but it's certainly extending from the main building behind the shop.

Looking down the street it looks like one bit of land, but if you go down marlborough street and look up, you will see that the strip is on two levels and there is some form of building on the property.

Has anybody checked ros.gov.uk ? (registers of scotland)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 24 Apr 2004, 19:37

Someone has checked the land register but the information is not 100% conclusive and until I get confirmation I don't want to publish our findings. I hope to get to the bottom of it over the next week or so. Once we know for sure who the owner is then perhaps we can do something about getting the area tidied up. Susan - I missed your call but I'll be around tonight/tomorrow if you can get in touch.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 18 May 2004, 21:48

I have now confirmed that the land in question is indeed owned by the owner of Artefacts. I have again spoken to him and he is happy for interested parties to tidy it up and has indicated that he is prepared to help.

This is good news. I suppose the next step is to identify a group of people who are willing to assist and to meet, along with the owner, to decide what we are going to do with it.

If you would like to volunteer your services, or have suggestions as to how this area might be improved, please post here or contact me directly.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 24 Jul 2004, 16:33

Time to resurrect another old thread. A site meeting was held this morning with Pete (the owner of Artifacts), Morag (secretary of Congregational Church), Phil (lives in the ground floor flat), John (chair of PAS) and myself.

We discussed the possiblility of applying for a Town Scheme grant to repair the wall and reinstate the railings, the possible removal of the self-seeded sycamore tree, the removal of most (if not all) of the other shrubs and weeds and a general tidy up of the area. In the short term, a temporary fence of some type is needed to prevent access, and perhaps some stone chips.

We are now looking for some volunteers to help with the initial clean up. It's not a particularly pleasant task - the area is full of dog dirt, litter etc - but you will be supplied with gloves and other protective equipment and tools, thanks to some friends at Env Services.

This is going to be a real hands-on community event and it would be great to get some forum members along to help out, particularly since it was a forum member who first brought the matter to public attention. A number of our detractors claim that the forum is just a talking shop and that it achieves nothing of value. This is our chance to prove them wrong and to make a real difference to one little corner of Porty, and of course an opportuntiy to meet some fellow members.

We are planning to hold the clean up on Saturday 21 August at 2pm. Just bring yourself, old boots or wellies. Everyone welcome, though not suitable for children.

Volunteers - please add your name to this thread. We are planning before and after photos, so you will get lots of credit and publicity.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 24 Jul 2004, 19:26

I volunteer to help in the clear up at the top of Marlborough Street - I live in this street and pass the patch in question everyday - it is an eyesore!

Sandra

DG · Post by DG » 24 Jul 2004, 19:44

Yes, I confess I was the one who brought this to the attention of the community. So, yes, I'll be there, and Mr DG has offered any help too (may be handy as he's a joiner to trade).

Let us know what time.

See you there!

DG

Post by **wangi** » 24 Jul 2004, 22:15

Took 8 "before" pics this morning... Here's a quick post of 2 of those:

DG · Post by DG » 25 Jul 2004, 21:07

Nice pictures, Wangi! We were out in Porty this morning and saw a few people taking photos and I couldn't help wondering if any of them were you.

Oh, and I read your message again, Bob and see that the time is clearly stated - sorry!

Can any-one else come along and help out on the 21st August at 2pm? I do agree that it is one thing expressing unhappiness about something but quite something else when we actively do something about it. Mr DG and I have recently taken action on another local concern and so far seem to have made a positive change. It is worth taking action on things that you feel strongly about rather than waiting for some-one else to make the change.

See you there, whoever can make it.

DG

Post by **wangi** » 25 Jul 2004, 21:16

DG wrote:We were out in Porty this morning and saw a few people taking photos and I couldn't help wondering if any of them were you.

There was a lot of cameras around this morning - wifes and hubands of the triathlon set I think... Done a fair bit of zipping around between the prom, Milton Rd and the High St to get some pics... And then sat out on the groyne at the end of John St for a fair bit waiting for the missus to join me so we could get a coffee!

Post by **wangi** » 26 Jul 2004, 11:00

Rest of the before pics:

http://www.pbase.com/wangi/before

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 28 Jul 2004, 20:22

Please note there is a change of date for this event. Before I was able to confirm the date with Environmental Services, who are providing support, they had in the meantime undertaken to assist at a much larger community event in Inverleith.

The Marlborough Street clean up will now go ahead a week later on Saturday 28 August at 2pm.

Thanks to everyone who has volunteered so far. Hope this date still suits. More help still required!

DG · Post by DG » 28 Jul 2004, 20:43

This change in date should be fine.

See you there!

DG

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 28 Jul 2004, 21:42

Bob

Sorry no can do 28th August as I am off to a friend's wedding - sorry!

Gedge · Post by **Gedge** » 30 Jul 2004, 15:33

I should be able to make it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 26 Aug 2004, 22:15

Time to resurrect this thread again because I need to remind you that the big clean up is taking place this Saturday, 28 August at 2pm. The equipment arrived this afternoon, so I have plenty of litter pickers, spades, gloves and other protective clothing.

Everyone welcome, though not suitable for children. See you there.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 28 Aug 2004, 18:48

How did it go today then? Find any treasure, dead bodies etc. in the undergrowth?

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