The Great Calton & Gate Swindle continues

Yes, The Development that incriminates it`s fans..., is back this season with a new song for them "dig, dig, dig, dig digging, dig an escape route for me"

The story so far

and today`s Evening News has a piece questioning the development???

They are in a hole so keep digging!

The Great Calton & Gate Swindle

Caltongate The Movie

STARRING


"The Developers"

Manish "Its a 5 star hotel or nothing" Chande

&

Martin "The Silent One" Myers

"The Cooncil"

Jenny ""Its grotesque and hideous, lets approve it" Dawe present city leader

Jim "laugh a minute" Lowrie present planning convenor

Donald " How I made Edinburgh"" Anderson, former City Leader, now Director of Mountgrange`s PR firm PPS Group Scotland












Trevor " the finger " Davies, former planning convenor

"The Architects"

Allan "Caltongate or Edinburgh must die " Murray

Malcolm "heritage bodies are toxic " Fraser


co starrring

Spin Doctor
Mark "Never Beaten PR" Cummings

Ron "rent a gob" Hewitt, Head of Chamber of Commerce


Historic Scotland

Architecture Design Scotland

to be continued.................

UNESCO In Edinburgh

Catch up with todays national and local coverage -Radio Scotland coverage begins at 1 hour 55 mins

It was covered on BBC One`s Breakfast a live broadcast with Sally Richardson of Save Our Old Town campaign and Architect Neil Baxter

Then on the UK wide One O`clock News BBC TV UK News then on Reporting Scotland no link yet

Unesco reviews Edinburgh's status

Two Unesco inspectors are arriving in Edinburgh to consider the city's World Heritage status.
The UN's cultural body is considering withdrawing the title, which it awarded in 1995, after the council passed some controversial planning applications.
Unesco is concerned about major new builds, including the Caltongate in the old town and the redevelopment of the St James shopping centre.

The representatives will spend three days touring the developments.
Unesco advisor Professor Manfred Wehdorn arrived on Wednesday morning at Edinburgh Castle for his first meeting.

Dr Mechtild Rossler, Unesco head of Europe and North America, is due to arrive in the city later on Wednesday.

Neil Baxter, secretary of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme that he was concerned with Unesco's potential power over Scotland's planning process.

City's story

He said: "The idea of Unesco coming to visit and perhaps issue edicts is very worrying in terms of the planning process and due governance of Scotland by Scottish people.
"The planning system comes from government through to the local authorities and the controls are there.
"We shouldn't be stymieing development. If we'd done that in the past we wouldn't have all the good stuff Unesco wants to protect."

Sally Richardson, of the Save Our Old Town Campaign, said when the city had applied for World Heritage status 13 years ago it had signed up to Unesco's criteria for protecting and enhancing.
"We welcome Unesco's visit - they're coming here to offer international experience," she said.
"We're not fighting against development; we're fighting for the right development.
"My children and the children of the Royal Mile Primary School will see buildings on their street demolished to make way for retail-led development that's not going to add to the story of their city."

Delegates are to meet at Seville's 2009 Unesco summit in the summer to discuss the findings.

Edinburgh City Council leader Jenny Dawe said: "I am extremely proud of Edinburgh's World Heritage status and our beautiful architecture, which attracts people to live,
visit, study and invest in Edinburgh.

"We are also a living city that is continuously evolving with all new developments scrutinised and receiving fair appraisal.
"I believe that heritage and development both contribute to the fantastic quality of life that Edinburgh offers."

The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh were awarded world heritage status because of the unique contrast and quality of architecture between the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town.

Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7723840.stm
Published: 2008/11/12 10:30:32 GMT© BBC MMVIII

Quotes on World Heritage Status

Above First Minister Alex Salmond & Minister Linda Fabiani

Who Has Said What -

The First Minister said: “From the Firth of Forth to the Clyde, the Antonine Wall marks the point where the tide turned for the Roman Empire in Scotland. Built by Hadrian’s successor, Emperor Antoninus Pius, it is the furthest frontier and a testament to design and ambition – attributes that echo throughout Scottish history.

“With this wall added to Scotland’s collection of internationally recognised historic sites, Scotland can be hugely proud that so much of our heritage is recognised not only for its impact on our own evolution and identity but for its contribution to the World.

“Next year, with the Scotland’s Year of Homecoming, we have an opportunity to celebrate that contribution. The opening of the Antonine Wall Centre at the Hunterian Museum in 2009 will be a great addition to the cultural experience on offer and I hope that the newly achieved status of our great wall might even inspire returning friends and family to walk the Antonine Way!” Historic Scotland


Commenting on World Heritage Day in 2008, Linda Fabiani the Scottish Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture stated: "We can... take the opportunity to reflect upon the contribution of our own World Heritage sites and their place in the global story of humanity. We can celebrate, with justified pride, Scotland's contribution".[2] More Here

The leader of the City of Edinburgh Council Jenny Dawe said: “Edinburgh has a rich architectural heritage and is proud of its city centre UNESCO World Heritage Site status. We do not want to see that status compromised”.

She went on to quote Renzo Piano, the Italian architect who designed the Pompidou Centre in Paris. Talking about designing new architecture in historic environments he said:
“When you work in a historical city centre, instead of worrying about the lack of freedom you should be grateful for the restrictions. Creativity doesn’t need freedom, it needs rules.”

World Heritage Day 2008

Why invest in Edinburgh?

Reputation

Edinburgh is Scotland's capital city,
home of the Scottish Parliament
and the consulate core.
Edinburgh is the world's festival city,
a World Heritage Site,
the world's first UNESCO City of Literature,
a leading international financial centre,
a recognised 'Ideopolis' of knowledge
and is renowned worldwide for innovation and cultural excellence
Inspiring Capital.com

Council Denies Credit Crunch Happening

"Latest Council Meeting"

With TV programmes showing such as "Repossession, Repossession, Repossession", "Property Snake", and " How little is your house worth now?" the City of Edinburgh Council are clearly not living on the same planet as the rest of us, but neither are their pals in the property business.....Edinburgh Revamp Still On

Most disturbing is that they are not content with cloning the city, they have started cloning themselves.

"City leaders say the projects will create a "modern 21st century capital city in which to live, work, invest and visit".

Now what is wrong with " Edinburgh is a beautiful historical city, a vibrant 21st century capital which people can live and work in , and people enjoy visiting and doing business in"

Demand for Public Inquiry for Caltongate

You may or may not have received a letter dated 6th August from Alan Henderson, Head of Planning, City of Edinburgh Council. See Evening News 7th Aug 08


Even if you did not object first time around, or receive this particular letter do take this opportunity to make your voice count. The more emails that the council and government receive, the more they can`t ignore the obvious mass public objection to Caltongate. And remember you can write even if you don`t live in Edinburgh, you can be any age, nationality and live anywhere to comment on a planning application and remember World Heritage Sites are everyone`s to enjoy and protect.

The Canongate Community Forum (CCF) suggest that you email the following people letting them know your views on the scheme, our letter is below which we have sent to the council and government.

You can take guidance from this, although do not just copy and paste, put what you feel is important , you are welcome to say that you support the points raised by the Canongate Community Forum in their letter to ministers and council officials, in response to Alan Hendersons letter of 6th August 2008.


People to Email


All Cabinet Ministers includes Alex Salmond, use the following email address and mark top of email for attention of all Scottish Ministers. Remember to include your name and postal address in the body of this email otherwise it may get ignored or lost.

scottish.ministers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

and copy c.c. this email to the Director of Planning in Scottish Government, CEC head of planning, CEC Caltongate case officer, the leader of council and the Forum , emails below -

jim.mackinnon@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

alan.henderson@edinburgh.gov.uk

bruce.nicolson@edinburgh.gov.uk

jenny.dawe@edinburgh.gov.uk

canongatecommunityforum@yahoo.co.uk

then send the same email to

The following MSPs who have already expressed the need for a public inquiry.

shirley-anne.somerville.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
margo.macdonald.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
robin.harper.msp@scottish.parliament.uk


You should also write to your own Msps, MP and MEPS use this link Write to them Scottish ones are listed even although it doesn't say on home page, you just enter your postcode and they will appear)

Letter to Scottish Ministers

The Canongate Community Forum
19th August 2008

Dear Minister


Caltongate Call- In


The Canongate Community Forum received a letter dated 6th August 2008 from Alan Henderson, Head of Planning and Strategy of CEC.

This letter should have been sent immediately following the Planning Committee’s decision on the 6th February 2008, not six months later.

As objectors to the Caltongate planning applications, we have been invited make comments on whether we consider our previous comments were properly dealt with, to provide comments on the statements of reasons for approving the applications and present any new evidence we believe should be considered.

The omission of the final consultation/feedback on statement of reasons is only one example of the mistakes made during the consultation and processing of these proposals (e.g. applications were never advertised as developments potentially contrary to the Development Plan) and demonstrates the lack of suitable resources and expertise of CEC to deal with such a large and complex proposal.

In light of this latest council error we demand that the proposed demolitions be halted. The notices are now void as they were applied before this part of the process was carried out. So the council should revoke these demolition notices as soon as possible. Given the current economic climate the demolitions could go ahead, whilst work on this particular scheme not undertaken. Only when the economy picks up the developer may sell on this cleared site with full planning consent?

The Statements of Reasons provided by the council do not provide adequate planning justification to breach National Planning policy and best practice (for listed buildings and conservation areas in particular).

The Canongate Community Forum would therefore like to take this opportunity to request the CALL-IN of the Caltongate Planning Applications.



Why a “Call – In” of Caltongate Plans by Scottish Ministers is required

The complexity of the issues and the ongoing conflict of interests between the Council as a developer and as the Planning Authority clearly demonstrate the need for an impartial independent review of the whole Caltongate masterplan process and subsequent determination of the planning applications. This can only be done through a Public Inquiry or Hearing undertaken by Reporters.

Reasons why -

1. The Planning Authority, The City of Edinburgh Council has a significant financial interest in the proposed development and as such cannot maintain the level of impartiality required to make an unbiased decision.

2. There is international concern. The Caltongate plans are potentially so damaging to the World Heritage Site that UNESCO decided at their Quebec Meeting in July this year, to send a delegation to the capital. UNESCO has expressed concern that CEC may have acted wrongly in agreeing to the development without, referring it first of all to UNESCO before a decision was taken. The proposed demolitions and design of replacement buildings will have a significant negative impact on the World Heritage Site and has been highlighted by many experts from impartial heritage organisations as well as the general public.

3. The land to be sold on East Market Street was not subject to fair and open competition and was sold for less than market value. The land on Calton Road was not identified as surplus to requirements by the council or offered on the open market for housing (which would have also required a contribution of 25% affordable housing in line with existing policy). Complaints have been made to both the Competition DG and the Internal market DG of the EU Commission, because of the extent that Mountgrange Caltongate Ltd may have been provided with privileged access and offered exclusive consideration in pursuance of its commercial objectives, it follows that competing bidders, both actual and potential, have been unlawfully discriminated against, and public resources unlawfully exposed to risk in this case. The office of the Secretariat-General of the European Commission, the executive branch of the EU are to decide shortly whether to start an "infringement procedure" – which could lead all the way to the European courts.

4. Private gain seems to be taking precedent over the legitimate public interest.

5. The total demolition of the Grade C Listed Canongate Venture is against planning policy.

6. Edinburgh World Heritage Trust believes that this was a development which should not happen, and CEC is a signatory to the Management Plan for the World Heritage Site. Historic Scotland and CEC are both represented on the Board of Directors of Edinburgh World Heritage - conflict of interest?

7. Facade schemes are not in accordance with sound principles of conservation and remove much historic and architectural interest from a building, and so the claimed benefits could as easily be gained by a far more sympathetic development, retaining listed buildings and thus the authenticity of the World Heritage Site.

8. It is suggested in the statement of reasons that the justification for departing from the statutory Structure Plan and National planning policies and guidance is the achievement of certain benefits – but the economic and employment benefits listed are purely speculative and remain untested by any impartial expert assessment. Most of the benefits highlighted are based on highly inaccurate information provided by the developer and not through detailed analysis or research undertaken by the Planning Authority.

9. The Planning Authority cannot be seen to have behaved impartially - they have not given equal weight to material objections raised from numerous community and heritage organisations and objectors but have chosen to favour the heavily biased opinion, and purely speculative benefits, provided by the developer and a local business organisation shortly after the developer Manish Chande was appointed Chair of their Property Policy Group (Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce).

10. No consideration was given to any alternative plans, either during the Council's consideration of the developer's masterplan or at the detailed planning application stage, despite requests from local stakeholders to allow consultation on alternative proposals.

11. No consideration was given to emerging local or national policy regarding growing community assets, the shortage of affordable workshops space and start up business premises in the city, heritage led development policies, community led development planning and policy, or to alternative funding streams available for public realm improvements and traffic management.

12. Many of the benefits attributed to the proposed development could be achieved through retention and development of public assets, and would be required of any development in the area which adheres to existing and emerging statutory plans and policies.

13. The provision of affordable housing does not address the needs of the area (particular lack of larger, 3 and 4 bed family housing) and what has been proposed has been offset to publicly owned land on Calton road rather than being met on site by the developer.


14. There are no safeguards in place (or conditions imposed to ensure the controlled phasing of development) to ensure the masterplan area is developed in such a way to ensure the suggested benefits will be fully realised (or even delivered) should a recession slow down development.

15. The developer has demonstrated no real commitment to the consultation process by repeatedly stating that the scheme is an all or nothing development and a phased approach to this enormous site is not an option. In addition, the setting up a 'consultation group' (administered by the developer and had membership limited to those stakeholders invited by the developer) only sought to manipulate the consultation process to the developer's advantage and avoid the implementation of the National Standards for Community Engagement.

16. The size location and facilities required (including direct access to a public square and the close proximity to exclusive luxury residential properties) by the hotel have been clearly stated as being key to securing a specific client for a hotel, however all applications require assessment against approved and adopted policy. No planning justification has been provided to warrant setting aside National Policy and Guidance with regard to the demolition of structurally sound listed and unlisted buildings in an Outstanding Conservation Area.

17. Senior members of CEC's Planning Committee and Planning Department have mishandled various elements in the processing of both the masterplan and the applications, ignored expert advice and opinion, behaved inappropriately and at times with prejudice towards members of the community and local community organisations.


18. The development does not accord with the Development Plan and was never advertised as a potential departure.

19. The decision is potentially prejudicial to the emerging Local Plan - it was identified in the finalised draft of the City Local Plan, due to be considered later this summer, following a request for Caltongate to be included in the emerging local plan by the developer. Its inclusion has sparked a significant number of objections to the inclusion of this oversized planning application as a Local Plan policy/proposal and objectors have also raised concerns that the finalised local plan has insufficient protection for listed buildings and the World Heritage Site.

20. The size and complexity of the technical information requires detailed analysis which is not available within the existing resources of CEC City Development Department. An Inquiry would allow evidence to also be presented from impartial and independent expert witnesses.

21. The plans conflict with National Policies NPPG18, NPPG5, SPP2, SPP1 and SPP3 and also memorandum of Guidance for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas

22. The processing of the supplementary guidance (masterplan) and the planning applications is not in accordance with advice contained in PAN41, PAN81, PAN 82, PAN 71, or PAN 74

I look forward to your acknowledgement of our letter and your subsequent call-in of these detrimental proposals for our capital.

Yours sincerely
Sally Richardson
Secretary
Canongate Community Forum

Defiant Doors

Dawe defiant over Caltongate

Yet another piece on the musings of our Council Leader .....

Meanwhile nothing not a morsel on The Canongate Project and its events.

CITY leader Jenny Dawe today clarified her stance on the controversial Caltongate development after coming under fire from opposition politicians.
As reported in the Evening News, Councillor Dawe highlighted the £300 million scheme as an example of the "thorny issues and tough decisions" faced up to by the Liberal Democrat/SNP coalition.But former Labour Lord Provost Lesley Hinds – a member of the planning committee – pointed out that party politics should not influence the planning process.Calling on Cllr Dawe to clarify the issue, Cllr Hinds said: "The rules are quite explicit on this issue – decisions made on the planning committee cannot be whipped."But the Lib Dem leader responded: "Of course the planning committee is apolitical, and that's the way it always should have been and will continue to be in this administration. "My point was simply that Caltongate was a tough decision that had to be taken and that now that it's been made, subject to the scrutiny of Scottish Ministers, allows for the re-development of – in particular – an ugly gap site in the heart of the city."

Jenny Dawe proves she is tough!

It's funny how the promise of 20% share of profits and £4.5 million can buy your opinions, isn't it Mrs Dawe? Last year you thought Caltongate was grotesque yet this year it proves that you and your council are tough. No it doesn't it means you fell for the spin from the developers and the council officials and the promise of 20% of £300 million once ALL the development is sold off. When will that be, if ever at all? Not a penny before though! £4.5 million for all that land in the council's city centre and world heritage site is pretty cheap don't you think considering some of it is common good (and not the council's to sell) and some of it is council housing (now lying empty and direlect when there is a housing crisis on, could it not have least been used for temporary housing in the meantime?) and you are gambling on the status of Edinburgh's world heritage.

And it was all sold off the table - it didn't go to the "open market" just to Mountgrange, who may or may not have been the highest bidder or offered the most of best value. Jenny, you sell yourself and the people of Edinburgh short. A tough decision would have been to reject Caltongate and to insist on something better for the Old Town not to accept what was on offer by one developer

Dawe praises 'tough' council

Friday 9th May 2008 in the Scotsman

COUNCIL leader Jenny Dawe today said that approval for the controversial Caltongate scheme proved that her administration can make tough decisions.

The £300 million plans for the Old Town have been backed by councillors on the planning committee and now await a response from Scottish ministers.

In a speech to mark the first anniversary of the Lib Dem/SNP coalition, Councillor Dawe said: "It had been suggested a coalition – particularly with such tight numbers – might lead to paralysis.

"This, quite simply, has proved untrue. We have shown ourselves ready to act properly and in the best interests of the city and to face up to the thorny issues and tough decisions which the previous administration ducked out of."See the article here


However last year she said - you can see the article in the Evening News here
"I'm not anti-development at all. However, I do believe that any development must respect the heritage of the city.
Malcolm Fraser is a very well known and respected architect and I was astounded to discover he was behind those images which appeared in the Evening News last week. The images were just grotesque and hideous. "I would've expected someone of his reputation to produce something a bit more sympathetic to its surroundings, but they were pretty gross."

The Leader Speaks

In her latest Leader`s Report Cllr Jenny Dawe has given "Caltongate" its own category. Its funny how things can change in time, Ms Dawe is perhaps referring to herself saying "The images were just grotesque and hideous" back in May 2007 when she says in March 2008 " Clearly, people have their own opinions and they have taken the opportunity to express them very eloquently"

Leaders Report Here
from the report - 5. Caltongate

Much has been written about the proposed development at Caltongate. Clearly, people have their own opinions and they have taken the opportunity to express them very eloquently. Whatever your view of the outcome, what has been reinforced to me is the extraordinary amount of work required of both Planning officials and Committee members in understanding and processing such major development proposals. Quite rightly, members of the Planning Committee are very protective of their independence from the party political process and, in that spirit, I should like to thank everyone involved in the complex process of taking the proposals through the Committee stage. I await with interest the final determination by Scottish Ministers.

But remember this from May 2007, when Leader Dawe was newly elected?


Cllr Dawe said: "I'm not anti-development at all. However, I do believe that any development must respect the heritage of the city. Malcolm Fraser is a very well known and respected architect and I was astounded to discover he was behind those images which appeared in the Evening News last week. The images were just grotesque and hideous. "I would've expected someone of his reputation to produce something a bit more sympathetic to its surroundings, but they were pretty gross."

(Her planning committee took less than 10 minutes to pass this building at the committee on the 6th February, people could not believe their ears or eyes when witnessing this contempt for the city and its people by this table of people having a laugh about how they were all adults and wanted to get home for their tea, it wasn`t even past 7pm, on a scheme so important and large, they could not be bothered. Cllr Rob Munn SNP for Nrth Edin and Leith, who hardly contributed all day became very vocal on the subject of getting home)

Cllr Dawe also raised concerns about the approach of developers Mountgrange, Full Article Here

What she said the day Caltongate was passed including this -

"The Caltongate development is an important regeneration project for the city centre.

You can Help Stop Caltongate