Rejecting the advice of an official, members of the Council's Development Management Subcommittee have refused permission for the McDonald Place cash-and-carry (Batley's Limited) to extend its opening hours (Ref. 13/04453/FUL; Breaking news, 16.10.12; 29.10.13).
They found that the proposal 'does not comply with the Edinburgh City Local Plan policies and the Council's non-statutory guidance and would adversely affect the neighbouring amenity by reason of the proposed hours of operation'.
Three letters of objection had been submitted by locals, variously alleging disturbance by 'a constant stream of articulated lorries, air brakes, bin lorries, reverse noise, pallets loading/unloading, doors slammed, drivers and workers shouting, engines, refrigerators, alarms' and rubbish blowing into gardens. Also the intrusive gaze of HGV drivers, waiting outside homes at 6.25am with their engines running prior to the cash-and-carry's start of business.
Some neighbours strongly disputed Bateley's contention that no complaints had been made about noise since hours were temporarily extended in 2012.
Despite evidence to the contrary, the Acting Head of Planning and Building Standards recommended extending the opening hours permanently, reasoning that 'the proposals comply with the development plan and would not prejudice residential amenity or road safety. There are no material considerations which outweigh this conclusion'. The polar opposite of councillors' findings when faced with the same facts.
See if you can make sense of it all by reading the Report attached at the foot of this page.
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The company intends 3C to remain, principally, a shop selling coffee bags and brewing equipment. No cooking is envisaged on the premises, but decent coffees and bought-in cakes, either to carry out or consume in the shop's seated area – would certainly meet a need on this draughty corner with North St Andrew Street.
The proposal looks like a shrewd move ahead of the imminent arrival and departure of trams at the 'temporary' York Place stop. It is exactly the kind of small-scale, niche economic blossoming many had hoped to witness by now along the entire length of Leith Walk and beyond.
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Two planning decisions made last week affect properties outside our area but may nevertheless be of interest.
Demolishing 6/7 St Andrew Square (Ref. 13/03955/LBC) is, arguably, an odd way to respect a Category B-listed building in the heart of the Edinburgh World Heritage Site. Perhaps it wasn’t quite Georgian enough.
Refusal of change-of-use consent to create a 910-client superpub in the former Baptist Chapel at 204 Rose Street will be welcomed by many (Ref. 13/02020/FUL).
The simultaneous disgorging of so many well-lubricated revellers would have had a massive effect on the city centre, and an inevitable, unpleasant, trickle-down effect on routes home via the New Town and Broughton.
New Town and Broughton revellers, of course, never make a nuisance of themselves here or anywhere else in Edinburgh.
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Changes around the city will take a little getting used to for everyone.
In the meantime, well done to the contractors (Crummocks staff, we think) who this afternoon helped one pedestrian who had strayed into the obstacle course which is the York Place tram stop currently nearing completion.
With a firm but gentle arm, he led her to a crossing point further up the carriageway, then guided her safely all the way over the road. 'He was a veray parfit gentil knight.' She looked particularly pleased with herself. In fact, we suspect she did it on purpose.
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