City of Edinburgh councillors today neither turned down nor consented an application to demolish the quaint 1830s building at 1–6 Canonmills Bridge (Ref. 15/01786/CON).
Instead, they voted for a hearing to be held at the next meeting of the Development Management Sub-committee on 26 August.
Officials had earlier submitted a report in favour of demolition to councillors. It read:
The loss of the unlisted building is acceptable and the redevelopment proposals have been approved by Development Management Sub Committee. The loss of the building will not have an adverse impact on the character or appearance of the conservation area. There are no material considerations to outweigh this conclusion.
You can read the report in full at the foot of this page. Planning permission already exists for a new development here (Refs 09/00830/FUL and 09/00830/VARY).
The decision is an interim victory for campaigners who want to see the present structure (and its occupants, Earthy) continue at the site.
Over the past six weeks, they have collected over 1,600 signatures on a paper petition, and nearly 4,000 online signatures for a ‘38-degree petition’. Some 117 representations were made to the Planning Department (of which 36 arrived too late).
Local councillor Nick Gardner (Leith Walk, in which the building surprisingly stands) moved for the hearing. He was seconded this morning by fellow Ward 12 councillor Angela Blacklock and Ward 11's Joanna Mowat, both of whom sit on the sub-committee.
Mowat's intervention was timely, determined and pertinent. She introduced two material reasons why the hearing should be held:
- The site sits at the border of two Council wards (Wards 5 and 12) and two community council areas (Stockbridge/Inverleith and New Town & Broughton). It was appropriate, she said, that the opinions of those at present procedurally excluded from the discussion (Inverleith councillors and the New Town & Broughton Community Council) should be heard.
- The sheer number of representations required that the issues should be discussed in detail.
Mowat added that she did not think the case in favour of demolition had been sufficiently made in the Report to the Sub-committee.
Officials will contact all relevant councillors and community councillors to advise them of the hearing date, and of their oppportunity to speak at it.
Convener Ian Perry made it plain that considerations other than the demolition of the building would not be relevant, and that any time spent discussing such issues might actually weaken the case for whatever decision is finally made.
A joint statement issued yesterday by leaders of the Stop the Demolition campaign said:
We have encountered unified support from across the local community (people of all ages and political perspectives), also from regular and occasional vistors to the area. We can’t overstate how much the area around Canonmills Bridge junction means to locals, pedestrians on their way to work or the Botanics, and to those frequenting the Water of Leith.
Gemma Kicks, a local resident and one of those behind the campaign, added. ‘It ain’t over till the big ball swings.'
For related news on this story, see:
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Magdalena Schamberger Congratulations campaigners!
Philippa Crawford I don't in theory object to something replacing this building...it's not especially beautiful but the Earthy cafe and shop that presently occupy it add a good sense of wholesome community in the area. The low single story building gives a sense of space and openness to the junction. But the thing they have planned is hideous...just another boring big modern box...and yellow?...and that area now would look quite constricted and hemmed in. It's usually all about money and profit and not about the quality of life for the people in an area. Sad.
- Shelley Wright I had no idea about this proposal. Is there anything more concerned locals can do to fight the redevelopment?
Save 1 - 6 Canonmills Bridge Hi Shelley - you can pop to our Facebook page Save 1 - 6 Canonmills Bridge to find out more and we will be out on the corner by the Police Box on Saturday and Sunday again, from 12 - 3pm. Come along if you can to find out more & sign the petition. All best