The Scotsman Publications Ltd and Barratt East Scotland propose building 130 residences with commercial space at 7–9 Newhaven Road, the site of the former Johnston Press printworks (Ref. 11/02671/FUL).
The application proposes reserving 0.005 hectares of the 0.98 hectare site for an as yet unspecified commercial/industrial development (possibly retail), which would operate between 9am and 5pm.
The new development would be predominantly 4–5 storeys, 'with a single six-storey block comprising a feature building at the corner of Newhaven Road and Carmichael Place'. The proposed scale, massing and height have apparently been designed to take account of the local built context, including both traditional tenements and more recent flats. Earlier Leith Community Council misgivings about the 6-storey element have been rejected.
The proposed materials are hard-wearing and easy-to-maintain slate grey concrete tile, facing brick and coloured render walls. In Spurtle's opinion, the general effect of this colour scheme would be a structure resembling a large, partially decayed molar.[img_assist|nid=2075|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=200|height=150]
The developer has liaised with the Port of Leith Housing Association, and envisages an element of affordable housing units on 3 separate stairs. The Council guideline benchmark for such affordable housing in a development of this scale is 25%. However, the developer notes significantly that 'this may differ locally, as justified by the housing need and demand assessment, local housing strategy and development plan'.
In some green, cuddly paragraphs within agent Halliday Fraser Munro's supporting statement, there is an assertion that 'Appropriate planting in [adjacent] streets will be planned using landscaping to help soften the street scene whilst also creating visual interest. It is envsaged that these improvements will also improve the microclimate and provide valuable habitats for wildlife'. There are 90 parking spaces already on the site, but an extra 23 are planned: how this addition will affect the microclimate is not specified.
The agent's Planning Supporting Statement, and a report detailing the feedback from pre-planning application meetings with locals and the Leith Central Community Council in November 2010 are both available as PDFs at the foot of this page.
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The former Category C-listed Gateway Theatre, workshops and associated buildings at 40–4 Elm Row are to be demolished and replaced by managed student accommodation (155 beds) if London Cornwall Property Partners can secure planning, conservation and listed building consent (Ref. 11/02696/FUL). [img_assist|nid=2072|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=200|height=116]
The site is bounded by Elm Row, Brunswick and Montgomery Streets, many of whose residents will welcome the removal of one ugly neighbour but feel less comfortable about the prospect of being overlooked from its replacement. Spurtle's first impression of the design is positive, and it will – we imagine – be a source of considerable excitement for local window-cleaners.
A design statement – including interesting site maps for 1876, 1882, 1908, 1914, 1969 and 1988 – is available at the link given above, and is well worth a look. It asserts that additional student numbers would raise the proportion of students within the local population to 27% (below the 30% allowed by the Council's Policy HOU10). The property would be managed by CRM Students – the biggest such company in the UK.
According to the Theatres Trust: 'The Gateway Theatre opened in 1946 from a former cinema. In 1969 The Scottish Colour Studio of Scottish Television converted the Gateway into Scotland's first fully equipped colour television studio. In 1988 it was bought by Queen Margaret University College. Alterations were completed in 1994 costing £5m and the theatre got a reputation as a top venue for Fringe productions. The Gateway closed in 2005 ... '.
This property falls under the Leith Central Community Council's area of responsibility.
(Former owner Queen Margaret's earlier proposal for demolition of the building and erection of 42 flats and townhouses was approved in 2007 [Ref. 06/04670/FUL].)
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A Mr John McIntyre has won retrospective planning permission for a change of use from retail to restaurant/café with ancillary hot food takeaway and the erection of 2 flues at 43 Broughton Street (Ref. 11/02045/FUL). The premises are currently occupied by Crolla's.