PLANNING UPDATE – 16.5.11

Submitted by Editor on Tue, 17/05/2011 - 10:39

The Shezan Tandoori Restaurant seeks permission to alter its shopfront on the corner site at 24–5 Union Place (Ref. 11/01412/FUL). Plans include timber fretwork at the door, new aluminium-framed windows and a black fascia.

Exhaustive researches reveal that Shezan is originally an Arabic girl's forename meaning beautiful.

Can any reader supply details of a 1970s cartoon series in which two parts of a ring were united with the word 'Shazaan' followed by a blinding flash and a genie? This correspondent vaguely recalls a flying camel, but then a mist descends.

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The splendidly named Bibulous Delights Ltd has been refused permission for changes to its Smoke Stack premises at 53–5 Broughton Street (Ref. 11/00606/LBC).

[img_assist|nid=1762|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=200|height=150]The proprietor had sought to replace existing windows with new sliding doors and to restore original stone pillars.

However, in a decision notice, he was informed that the proposal did not comply with the Council's Development Plan or Edinburgh Planning Guidelines, and would be an incongruous alteration having an adverse effect on the architectural integrity (particularly the stallrisers and mullion) and special character of this 18th-century, Category B-listed building. One letter of objection was submitted, arguing that the windows were an important element of the building's design and should be retained, but it is not clear from the Council website who sent it.

[Since this article first appeared (10.15am), the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland have tweeted us (10.45am) to say that it was they who objected to the removal of stallrisers, as 'small historical details keep Broughton Street interesting'. A useful definition of the term appears at KendalWiki as follows: 'This is the area below the shop window(s) usually at least a foot high. The stallriser improves the proportions of a shop front by providing a solid visual base, both physically by providing protection from kicks and knocks, reducing the chance of breakage or damage to the glass, and visually by allowing the floor inside the shop window to be raised and any window display made more visible. Stall risers are usually of the same material and finish as the rest of the shop front (including painted timber panels, stone or render).]

A very similar proposal (09/02920/LBC) was withdrawn in 2009.

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Plans for a private property at 9 London Street have met with a mixed response from Council planners (Ref. 11/00713/LBC). Whilst most of the proposed changes were acceptable, officials rejected the introduction of a glazed screen in the entrance hall which would 'diminish the interest of the listed building and cause unnecessary damage'.

Historic Scotland had earlier raised concerns for the entrance hall's original cornice with distinctive frieze and key pattern decoration on the cornice and ceiling.

In the Council's Non-statutory Guidelines in Respect of Alterations to Listed Buildings, there is a requirement not to subdivide – either vertically or horizontally – principal rooms and entrance/stair halls. And in related Guidelines, as most readers will be aware, there is also a presumption against subdivision by partition and disturbance of architectural features in entrance halls.

So, be careful where you hang your hat.