In a remarkable turn of events, City of Edinburgh Council’s Development Management Subcommittee today refused permission for the demolition of the low-rise building at 1–6 Canonmills Bridge.
Councillors unanimously turned down the application, despite the advice of officials, and despite planning consent for a replacement structure having been given in 2009 (see Breaking news, 29.7.15).
Deputations against demolition were made by: local councillors Gavin Barrie, Nick Gardner and Leslie Hinds, the New Town & Broughton Community Council, the Stockbridge Community Council, urban designer Ross McEwan, and the Inverleith Society.
Agents Colliers International spoke on behalf of the developer Glovart Holdings Ltd, arguing that demolition (and subsequent construction) would have a positive impact on the Inverleith Conservation Area.
Councillors were not persuaded. You can follow the webcast here (start at 10 minutes 30 seconds in).
Tremendous coup … but for how long?
The decision is a tremendous coup for the Stop the Demolition! campaign, which over recent weeks had gathered over 2,000 signatures for its paper petition, and nearly 5,000 for an online version. At the last moment, it also drew unexpected support from the celebrated actress Hayley Mills, who described the potential loss of the building as a ‘sad one’.
Around 50 campaigners gathered outside City Chambers or attended today’s hearing, among them Deidre Brock MP.
Whilst happy for those who have worked so tirelessly to preserve the building, Spurtle finds the Committee’s move illogical. To many, it looks suspiciously like a cosmetic exercise calculated by politicians to get themselves off the hook for a hugely unpopular decision.
It has escaped no-one's attention that there will be a local-authority election in 2017.
Spurtle doesn't wish to rain on anyone's parade, but the Council's granting of planning permission and refusal of demolition may, we suspect, be a short-lived procedural contortion which a Reporter overturns on appeal. Officials, however, insisted that councillors were not bound by the previous decision in considering Conservation Area issues.
Campaigners are aware of the possibility of an appeal, but remain upbeat: ‘This may only be a battle that is won and not the war – but the team are ready for anything now!’
Got a view? Tell us at spurtle@hotmail.co.uk and @theSpurtle and Facebook
-------------------------------------------
Gary Kerr Well done to everyone involved great news.
Janice Johnson Congrats and well done. Let's hope they don't try another way!
@theSpurtle @savecanonmillsB an appeal offers opportunity for Ministerial intervention & there's a nice local one, Italian sounding name...
@papawasarodeo So, in event of an appeal, do @savecanonmillsB approach minister directly, or wait for him to magically intervene uninvited?
@theSpurtle @savecanonmillsB developers don't wait for things to happen, neither should anyone else #positiveparticipation
Rhona Stewart Cameron Well done!
Candia Dinshaw many congratulations indeed ;what an excellently run intelligent worthwhile campaign and what high quality speaking . Collective memory and spirit of place and the penisula between the designated sites; such good thinking so well done
Lorna Hood I can't believe they were going to demolish this Canonmills icon! Well done!