Scottish Power Site Re-development 2 - high density housing

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 09 May 2009, 16:42

BL have submiited new plans (not for a superstore) here

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 May 2009, 17:25

Wow, that's a huge amount of detail to sift through. For anyone who just wants a general overview of the layout, try this document:

http://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/ ... 30&ext=pdf

To deal specifically with this application, PMAG (Portobello Masterplan Action Group) will surely have to form a sub-committe called SPAG (Scottish Power Action Group). Then, to raise funds for the inevitable Public Inquiry they could have a ceilidh in the Town Hall and call it the SPAG Ball.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 14 May 2009, 13:15

There's a wee exhibition about this in the library.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 14 May 2009, 14:25

Bob Jefferson wrote: To deal specifically with this application, PMAG (Portobello Masterplan Action Group) will surely have to form a sub-committe called SPAG (Scottish Power Action Group). Then, to raise funds for the inevitable Public Inquiry they could have a ceilidh in the Town Hall and call it the SPAG Ball.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 19 May 2009, 13:59

From today's EN:

700 homes on 8 acres a tall order for Portobello

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 19 May 2009, 21:42

Caroline Hosking, secretary of Portobello Community Council, added: "I am still concerned about the heights and the density of the dwellings and how 739 houses will add to traffic problems. It is going to be here in Portobello for a long time and it is a big development so it's got to be right."

Can someone explain to me the problem with heights here? It isn't really an area brimming with stunning architecture or views is it? I can't see how anyone's view of the sea could be spoilt by this.

Some people just can't be pleased can they? Don't build a supermarket, it will destroy local trade. Don't build houses, they'll cause traffic problems (leaving aside the economic benefits of a 2,000 person injection to the local population)

seanie · Post by **seanie** » 07 May 2010, 11:33

Recommended for Approval.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 10 May 2010, 12:37

From today's EN : Protests rejected as developer's £100m plan gets the go-ahead

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 12 May 2010, 20:34

I believe that this application was rejected today, by the planning committee, by 7 votes to 5.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 13 May 2010, 06:19

From Building Design Online:

Broadway Malyan £100m Edinburgh flats scheme rejected

Myserscough said one option it would now consider would be to look again at building a supermarket on the site which has stood empty for six years.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 13 May 2010, 14:22

You have one application turned down so you threaten to revert to one that failed previoulsy - I don't think so.

Still, PCATS may yet rue giving the community's money away to a different cause.

allaboardtheskylark · Post by **allaboardtheskylark** » 14 May 2010, 00:15

Yippee, does that mean we are getting the fun fair again this summer! Popcorn, hot dogs, Buckfast.

You know, ultimately there will be something built there. How long will it take for PPAG/PCATS to come up with a suggestion.

I bet the letter is already in.

Post by **wangi** » 14 May 2010, 12:09

http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/City ... 6295206.jp

PLANS for one of the biggest new developments in the Capital have collapsed after being rejected by city planners.
Council officials had recommended that the £100 million plan to create more than 700 homes, health facilities and community space at the former Scottish Power site in Portobello should be approved.

But councillors on the planning committee rejected BL Developments' proposals amid concerns about the scale, height and design of the plans.

The Edinburgh-based developer has become the latest one to fail to get approval to build on the site.

Previous plans for a supermarket were approved by the council but rejected at a Scottish Government public inquiry.

Residents said today said that they would like to see the developer come up with new plans for a housing development that takes their views into account.

However, BL Developments warned that it will not be able to make a scheme viable with fewer houses – and said that the decision makes it more likely that other uses, including a supermarket, could happen instead.

John Stewart, chairman of Portobello Community Council, said: "We are very much in favour of this sort of mixed development with housing on this site.

"But we have particular concerns with this application; the main one being about the density. We were also concerned about the height of this proposal."

...

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 14 May 2010, 12:23

See that 'The Hootsman' has got its facts wrong:
"Previous plans for a supermarket were approved by the council".
The council opposed the plans.

allaboardtheskylark · Post by **allaboardtheskylark** » 14 May 2010, 14:33

TESCO, TESCO man
I wanna be a TESCO man

How sad would that be after all this time. The will have to build something.
Perhaps a new Power Station.

Nuclear off course.

allaboardtheskylark · Post by **allaboardtheskylark** » 14 May 2010, 14:35

Forgive the spelling, just got carried away listening to the Village People.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 14 May 2010, 17:38

Was it ever confirmed that it would have been Tesco at the site?
I think that woud have been great but unlikely now as they're building a huge one in Musselburgh.

allaboardtheskylark · Post by **allaboardtheskylark** » 14 May 2010, 21:28

The true applicants were hidden behind a third party. Duddingston House Properties if memory serves me correctly.
In the area TESCO seemed to be the most probable, lack of presence in the area, big store and it would compete with an ASDA with one of the highest footfalls in the UK. So the profits were there.

Don't know if the TESCO in Musselburgh was planned before or after this one but it may be feasible to have both.

Next up is Big W. If the restriction is lifted on selling food and alcohol, a condition of ASDA moving, new Supermarket in no time at all.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 14 May 2010, 22:04

Think the Tesco at M'burgh was planned early in the decade, along with health centre etc moving onto the old factory site, not sure if its just the supermarket going there now as I believe there were funding issues to new health centre.

I always thought it was unlikely to be Tesco at Scottish Power site as they seem to be upfront when they target an area, to me its seemed more speculative building.
The big chains seem to come in with all guns if they really want a site.

So now we have no petrol station in Porty, no supermarket, yeah I know there's a Scotmid but really its so awful its cant be counted as a "supermarket".

I get in the car and go to Asda or Tesco, even Sainsury but still get bacon and sausages for the household at Findlays.

seanie · Post by **seanie** » 15 May 2010, 00:22

When the planning inquiry rejected the superstore it didn't do so in principal, so it's at least feasible that such a development could occur. But the subsequent Development Framework, with the emphasis on residential development, makes it even less likely.

But in terms of housing, what was proposed was probably close to what would stack up in terms of finance. Given the current financial situation, my guess would be the site remains derelict for the forseeable future.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 22 May 2010, 07:17

Stephen Hawkins, from the EN Letters Page recently:

Proposal's scale too big for site

Post by **wangi** » 13 Sep 2010, 17:06

Admin: comments on the most recent pre-planning proposal for reduced density housing along with a small supermarket on this site have been split to Scottish Power Site Re-development (round 3).