Here is the Old Town Community Councils objection to the 2nd proposal for the breakthrough on the Canongate.  (The demolition of the Macrae tenements)

RESPONSE TO PLANNING APPLICATION 07/04400/FUL The Old Town Community Council welcomes the opportunity to comment on this planning application.Whilst the design of the proposed breakthrough on the Canongate by use of a pend is a significant step forward in the design and would help to retain a sense of containment on the Canongate it would appear from the detailed plans that the existing tenement flats will still be demolished.

As stated in previous responses to the Mountgrange proposals the OTCC strongly object to the unnecessary demolition of these sound residential buildings within the conservation area as this conflicts with the World Heritage Management Plan, NPPG18, Edinburgh & Lothian’s Structure Plan Policies ENV1C and ENV1D and Conservation Policies within the Central Area Local Plan.

Historic Scotland’s Memorandum of Guidance clearly states (paras 4.26 - 4.32) that development which affects unlisted buildings within Conservation Areas should aim to retain and restore or sympathetically convert to a sympathetic use before demolition is seriously investigated. The proposed development seeks consent for the demolition of all but the upper area of the existing front wall. All of the existing flats, roof structure and entire ground floor are to be demolished. The rear elevation, layout, and roof structure of the replacement tenements bears no reference to the original building. The part retention of a façade goes no way to retaining the integrity of the existing building which forms part of the narrative of the ‘conservative surgery’ approach to planning and architecture which Edinburgh is famous for. It is interesting that the proposed use remains the same with the only difference being the size and ownership - 7 one bed flats in mixed private and public ownership replaced with 2 x 2bed flats and part of a 3bed penthouse in private ownership.The proposed pended access is unsuitably high and would require, at the very least, the removal of residential accommodation at first floor level. Whilst additional accommodation is proposed within the roof, the design and proportion of the proposed dormers is alien to the building and the adjacent listed buildings

I wish to lodge an OBJECTION TO the following CALTONGATE Planning Application Number 07/04400/FUL
I used to live in Edinburgh though I now reside in Bristol.  I am particularly fond of this area of Edinburgh as I like the way this street and route have been unchanged for centuries in some cases.

As an ex-patriate Scot, a “Canogotian”, born at 2 Chessels Court, Canongate, in 1944, we are lodging a strong protest against the CALTONGATE Planning Application Number 07/04400/FUL. 

Scroll to bottom of this page on The Associations website to read their comments to resubmitted applications.

http://www.cockburnassociation.org.uk/default.asp?page=82

go to Objections in menu to read others including The Forums and FOE  etc

Susan Morrison is a presenter on www.talk107.co.uk  the local talk radio station, she is supporting the campaign and spoke at the Public Meeting on the 3rd of October.

Tuesday, 16 October 2007

PLEASE NOTE : I DO NOT WISH THIS LETTER TO BE TREATED IN ANY WAY OTHER THAN AS A SEPARATE LETTER OF OBJECTION.  I EXPRESSLY FORBID ANYONE FROM COMPILING THIS LETTER WITH OTHERS IT MAY RESEMBLE IN ANYWAY

 Read objections and responses to latest round in Objections Sections, see menu to left

18th October 2007      

Dear Mr. Nicholson

The Canongate Community Forum welcomes an opportunity to make further comment on the following applications;

David Black  was a founder member of the Old Town Association in the 1970s and 1st chairman of Southside Association  and is the author of the book about the building of The Scottish Parliament - All the First Minister's Men' 

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT BY MOUNTGRANGE; OBJECTION

Dear Sir

See objections here open in PDF

 http://www.eh8.org.uk/files/NeilSimpson.pdf

See attached document containing Architect James Simpsons strong objection to the demolition of The Macrae Tenements on the Canongate to make way for Mountgrange`s 5 star Hotel. 

http://eh8.org.uk/files/jamessimpson.jpg