Breaking news

When architects Sir Frank Mears Associates presented pre-planning application proposals for land between Broughton Rd and Heriothill, local residents expressed several concerns (see Issue 181).

However, what also emerged at the March New Town and Broughton Community Council meeting was that these plans are the result of ‘years of consultation' with City Planning officials. The City’s priority has, apparently, been to avoid overcrowding in the narrow, steeply enclosed site.

Organisers of the 2010 Christian Aid Book Sale are appealing for contributions. They hope to receive books, of course, but also many other items of interest to the collector (for details, see below).

Gifted items should be delivered on weekdays, 9am–9pm from 26 April to 5 May. The event itself runs on 8 and from 10–14 May.

Has your red recycling bin become so cracked and brittle that cardboard falls out of it? Has your recycling sack split with the strain of Liberal-Democrat election literature? Has your blue recycling bin collapsed under the weight of discarded glass? Since your raincover went missing, have you been ashamed to put out your empty bottles in case neighbours realise how much 'olive oil' you're getting through?

The following details arose from the pre-planning application meeting at McDonald Rd Library on 22 March. For locals' initial reactions see Issue 181. Plans can be viewed by clicking on the pdf below.

Architects Hackland + Dore's proposed development would face out onto McDonald Road, McDonald Street, McDonald Place, and Bellevue Rd: 2, 3 and 4-bedroom flats; plus some ground-floor commercial units on McDonald Rd.

Food at the National Library of Scotland has improved hugely since Jane St-based caterers Galway Gourmet took over.

‘Jaundiced of Claremont’ reports enjoying a biryani there recently. So much so that afterwards he carefully studied the list of ingredients to discover its secret.

Was it the ‘spiced rice, carrot, and potatoes’? Nothing unusual about those. What about the ‘mushrooms, sunflower, almond, salt and pepper’? No again.

Oh dear. In that case, it can only have been ... the ‘pees’.

The New Town and Broughton Community Council today responded to the Council's draft (Tranche 1) Traffic Regulation Orders on how Edinburgh streets will change because of  trams.

The TROs are being rolled out in three 'tranches': (1) proposed changes along the tram route itself; (2) changes along adjacent routes intended to cope with displaced traffic; (3) changes to cope with unforeseen consequences of the first two tranches.

A Zender piano bought secondhand ten years ago is now on offer free to a good home.

The instrument got its previous owner, with tuition, to Grade 6, and is now in need of retuning. It's situated locally in a ground-floor maindoor flat, so should be easy to shift.

Please pass the word, and if interested contact j.fairley@blueyonder.co.uk.

The General Election is imminent, and in keeping with previous years Spurtle will organise  a hustings for the Edinburgh North and Leith constituency. Members of the public will be able to pose the same question to each of the parlliamentary candidates who attend, and compare their responses.

Plans are already well under way. A chairperson has been confirmed and a venue found. All we need now are a date and a definitive list of those candidates standing.

All details will be confirmed and publicised on this site and elsewhere nearer the time.

To no-one's surprise, a major development is in the offing for 10 Brunswick Road, the 4.08 acre site of the late-lamented Post Office sorting office.

The Royal Mail Group seeks permission in principle to build 200 flats and townhouses, with associated Class 4 business space (office, industrial, research and development), car parking, landscaping and access arrangements.

Drummond CHS will showcase new rock talents at a concert on 22 April. Three local bands and a guest group will star.

Tickets on sale at the school office.

See 'Events' and Issue 181 (published on 1 April) for further details.