Where are they now????

This is what it says on Trevor the finger Davies, Caltongate Devottee - former planning convener - written most probably by his number one fan himself

" Trevor Davies is an honorary Professor in Urban Studies in the University of Glasgow (now contain yourself from keeling over with laughter) with a degree in economics.

From 2003 until 2007 he was Convener of the Planning Committee for the City of Edinburgh Council. Edinburgh faces substantial planning issues as one of the fastest growing cities in the UK, balancing the exceptional and large demands for development with the conservation of its unique build heritage. (Aye that will be right, they hate heritage)

remember this?

In response to that challenge, Trevor appointed Sir Terry Farrell as the first City Design Champion and created the UK’s first City Design Initiative. He has extensive experience of and skills in the leadership of place making and planning policy formulation.TPS Public Affair Clients"

What it says on another former Caltongate devottee planner Spence, another one who went to Mountgrange`s champagne reception....

"Ian Spence is a highly experienced architect and town planner. He started his career as an architect in both the private and public sectors, latterly becoming design team leader. Invited to Edinburgh Council to establish an Urban Design unit. Developed urban design practice within the Council’s Planning Service – dealt with strategic development and directly processed many major planning applications. Upon local government re-organisation he was appointed Conservation and Design Manager (Assistant Director position equivalent). Ian was subsequently appointed as Development Quality Manager (with broader responsibilities – deputising for Head of Planning when necessary). " TPS Planning Clients

PPS Group Scotlandis headed up by Donald Anderson. The office has seen success in recent years and built a team of specialists that can assist on schemes large and small. They are currently involved in new settlements, city-centre mixed-use schemes, waste management projects, casinos, retail redevelopments and wind farms. Their current clients include, BAe Systems, Gala Casinos, The Junction, Land Securities, Redrow and Sainsbury's.


PPS Group motto -"Call PPS if ...you need to undertake community consultation or if you feel your scheme may run into political or community opposition."

Now we all remember wee Donald don`t we? Another rude arrogant man who when a Labour leader of the capital wined and dined with the developers.

An Invicata Public Affairs works day out

The company PPS Group which has appeared in Private Eye about their dodgy practices he works for is none other than Caltongate developers Mountgrange PR company....which another horror Mark Cummings spin doctor of the worst kind ever, worked for, who has now set up his own spinning lair called Never Beaten...with a bevvy of beauties he`s doing his best for the worst for Scotland......

So all of the above have gone from public to private, using all their contacts and knowledge to help drive through planning applications, well knock us down with a feather..............
more on this to come...

Caltongate Hotel Cancelled

French Hotel Group Accor may pull out of Caltongate, as 5 star Hotels are lying empty at what should be Edinburgh`s busiest time of year


Headlines today say it all -
Scottish hotel downturn worst in Britain as trade plunges by 7% Scotsman

Stage set for a difficult year as rooms remain empty before Festival Scotsman


Waste depot protesters call for demo at city chambers on Wednesday 30th July

The campaign group Portobello Opposes New Waste Site, or Pongs, has urged people to attend next week's planned protest. It has the backing of Edinburgh East MP Gavin Strang, who this week wrote to every member of the council's planning committee to outline local concerns.Mr Strang said it was only the second time in 30 years that he had felt compelled to make such a move. "This is the wrong site, no question, and I am very concerned that the views of my constituents are properly heard," he said. Robert Gatliff, the chairman of Portobello Community Council, agreed that local residents were very concerned that Viridor was looking to force through a development in the wrong place."There is also the worry that this site could be used for something else in future, such as a passenger rail terminal or even a tram terminal, but if this rubbish depot is constructed that will no longer be a possibility and the people here will lose out."

A spokesman for Viridor said the company planned to create a "state-of-the-art facility"."The facility will reduce traffic volumes and reduce CO2 emissions by 42 per cent," he said. "This is achieved by shifting transport of waste from road to rail, bringing an important rail freight facility back into long-term viable use. "Vehicles using the facility will mainly operate outside peak traffic times and will use Sir Harry Lauder Road, thus not contributing significantly to traffic levels in the area." Full Article 22nd July



Viridor the waste company use PPS Group the controversial PR company run in Scotlan, by none other than Caltongate Devotee Donald Anderson, former Nu Labour leader of City of Edinburgh`s Council Planners give Nod 25th July 08

PPS Group motto -"Call PPS if ...you need to undertake community consultation or if you feel your scheme may run into political or community opposition." hotlinehere


So you can be sure this is a scheme which is no good for anyone other than the folk wanting to build it and run it, miles and miles away from their homes and communities of course!

If you can help then get yourself up to the City Chambers from 8.15 am - the meeting starts at 9am

Good News For Shoreditch

Built in 1893, this former power station is an historic landmark. It is the first building that you see in Hackney when you approach from the City and as such it separates two very different areas. A 53 storey tower block is proposed – threatening 233 Shoreditch High Street with demolition


Well at least in Hackney councillors have a bit of balls to stand up for their constituents and not to always go with big business and their city planners Planners back Demolitions well for the moment anyway -

Remember our councillors with their snouts in the trough

Caltongate Decision 6th Feb 2008

OPEN’s campaign to Save Shoreditch from invasion by City office towers won an important victory at Hackney Town Hall on Thursday evening when objectors persuaded Planning Committee members not to approve the 51-storey Bishops Place tower block in south Shoreditch.Open Shoreditch Blog

Save The Light Campaign


Matt Johson of band The The is a member of the campaign Save Shoreditch in London and the voiceover for their excellent campaign Video Here