Inside the minds of Edinburgh`s Plannning Committee

In todays Evening News, they reckon that the planning committee will pass yet another Allan Murray scheme, no surprises there then???? So lets all start to go loco down in SOCO...

The Edinburgh Association of Community Councils Question Time was held in the Business Centre of the City Chambers on Saturday December 6th 2008 from 10am to 12 noon. The topic under discussion was Planning and Economic Development

In attendance for the panel were: Planning Committee Convener -Cllr. Jim Lowrie (SLD - Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart --Cllr. Joanna Mowat (Conservative - City Centre),
Cllr. Steve Burgess (Green Party - Southside/Newington) Cllr Norma Hart (Labour Liberton/Gilmerton.

The main points of the discussion were: How the Planning and Development Committee works

Here are some of the days choice pieces -

"Cllr Lowrie noted in his opening remarks that he had been a councillor for 10 years, and acknowledged that the other councilors had been council members for just 18 months."

" All acknowledged that the workload for the Planning Committee was ‘very heavy', the training was continuous and frequent, and the newer councillors described their brief as the ‘steepest learning curve' they had ever experienced. "

"Councillor Hart noted that she had been surprised to learn just how ‘constrained' the Planning Committee was by legislation."

" Cllr Lowrie further noted that despite a current popular belief that the Committee is now influenced by decisions politically, this is not the case. Councillors from one party will often express different views and vote in opposition to each other over proposed developments.

Cllr Lowrie emphasized that the Committee does not have the powers to ‘really stop developments' if they are within the national and local policies and plans. "

and on the The Caltongate Development specifically-

Cllr Hart: The Labour Group voted for Caltongate. This was not a decision taken lightly. The application was scrutinized and qualified. There was a balance needed between interests and potential benefits. In general it seems possible to strike a balance. There is a significant degree of local discontent, yet there will be a new amenity, an important green site and cycle routes.

Cllr Mowat: We will be proud of the new development. It is not the abomination that some people describe. It will create safer routes from the station through to the Parliament buildings, some of which can at present be dangerous and threatening after 4.30 in winter. Those promoting the Heritage argument asked why we would allow this proposal to go through. We felt it would add to the area. The impossible ‘fish-bone' patterns of medieval times that were proposed by those supporting the Heritage views would not have been good for the site. The plan is now above the standard of plans usually seen.

Cllr Lowrie: We were successful in significantly changing the original concept. The original application passed in 2002 wasn't exciting and didn't generate a sense of place. Now a big square is part of the plan, with cafes and walkways. The route to Parliament will be vital and lively. There will be one big arch, but generally the frontage won't vary from that along the rest of the Royal Mile. " Read and weep at full minutes here

Wow what insight they all have, I for one am so proud that those people are on the capital`s planning committee, I will sleep well knowing this....................................where is my medication?

Old Town on Fire Again

This building on Victoria Street in the Old Town went on fire last night, lets hope the building can be saved and does not become a possible Allan Murray Gap site. The fire in the Cowgate in 2002 is the gapsite for Allan Murray`s controversial SoCo, which writer Alexander MacCall Smith spoke out against recently.

Video Here

See story and photos here

McCall Smith going LoCo over SoCo

"Plans for a £40 million hotel in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town have been attacked for destroying the “rhythm and elegance” of the city centre by the novelist Alexander McCall Smith and Sir Timothy Clifford, the former director general of the National Galleries of Scotland. "

So another Old Town site that Allan Murray has on his to do list is causing a stir in the toon. see Times today

So perhaps Alexander MacCall Smith will get in touch with the ladies of the Save Our Old Town No.1 Detective Agency and together ..... Edinburgh could move closer to achieving the best new additions to her heritage and the best for the people who live in the city, who we believe are called residents, the communtiy, stakeholders, voters, but are probably called other names by the powers that be.

"In a letter to The Times, Mr McCall Smith and Sir Timothy join six other eminent figures in deriding the plans for SoCo, a hotel which has been designed to rise from the Cowgate on to South Bridge in Edinburgh, on a site destroyed by fire in 2002. "

"The authors of the letter - including Alexander Stoddart, the sculptor, Douglas Rae, the film producer, and Professor Richard Demarco - describe the aftermath of the fire as the perfect opportunity to restore the symmetry of South Bridge, which was planned by Scotland's pre-eminent architect, Robert Adam, but completed by Robert Kay, in 1786. "

SOOT Gathering Tues 2nd Dec 7pm

Come along to Old Saint Pauls Church Hall, Jeffrey Street mapanddirections on
Tuesday 2nd December. Next to Waverley Station, close to Princes St and St Andrews bus station.

All welcome, come at whatever time you can and stay for however long suits you.

Doors open 7pm, start meeting 7.30pm

We will be discussing the recent UNESCO visit, The Canongate Project, volunteers wanted to help finish off and collate work of the Project and new threats around the city, including SoCo, The Tron, West Port etc

Then rest of evening until late`ish will be a social get together.

A chance for you to share your news over a glass of wine and a mince pie.

Please BYOB. Glasses and some snacks provided, but do bring some more to share if you can.

Edinburgh to be renamed Murrayburgh?

Above is one of the many tour souvenirs available to buy

Talks are said to be taking place in the council to decide on a new name for the capital.



It is to be in honour of Allan Murray the prolific architect reshaping the city for the 21st Century.


Along with rebranding the city, officials believe it should be renamed as many prominent council officials along with the Chamber of Commerce and Visit Scotland, feel that the name Edinburgh conjours up images of old buildings, history and that sort of thing...they say its putting off the business visitor, hen and stags and the increasing numbers of people coming to look at new builds, whether empty office blocks, five star hotels and ten a penny luxury 2 bed apartments.


Allan Murray tours are proving to be popular as demand for more traditional historical and spooky type tours is dropping, as even the ghosts themselves have left the Old Town to make way for new Allan Murray buildings.


The tour starts with a brunch at The Tun building on Holyrood Road, where a short indoctrination talk is given on the economic benefits of all new development.

After brunch and talk you are driven in a Murray themed bus along the ever increasing tour route around the city. Craigmillar not on the tour at the present moment. (It is rumoured that future tours may take in Murray sites in The Merchant city in Glasgow and Peterhead etc)



Here is the route - (so far...)

The Tun, Holyrood Road
Cowgate Nursery, Old Town
Cowgate Fire Site (SOCO), Old Town
George IV Bridge Site.... Old Town
Argyle House , West Port, Old Town


Edinburgh Park (various Buildings)
Croyston House, Ravelston Terrace
Freer Street, New Town
Coal Hill, Leith


Then its onto "The Murray Hat Trick"
The Omni Centre, St James Centre Site and The Cube


Then its up to Calton Hill to look down onto the proposed Caltongate site where you are treated to a wee dram of Murrays own specially blended whisky "The Murrayburgh Blend" Each bottle featuring one of his many buildings.


We are looking forward to a tour review very soon.