PLANNING APPLICATIONS NOW SUBMITTED AND CLOSED FOR COMMENTMountgrange`s 2nd and 3rd Planning Applications Objections to be in by the 30th March.  Please email canongatecommunityforum@yahoo.co.uk for further information Some suggested points below to base your OBJECTIONS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING APPLICATIONSDESIGN Not in keeping with conservation area / world heritage site or ‘approved’ Caltongate masterplan -Mono pitch roofs at a very shallow pitch throughout application site finished in zinc. No use of stone or stone cladding in construction or finish for walls.Use of high carbon generating materials (pre-cast concrete, cement render and oil based plastics) in construction and finish.Lack of amenity space, drying greens, play areas and open space - Block B has no private or public space, Blocks A and C have limited private usable space.

Internal layout of residential units and mix and distribution of uses within buildings is likely to reduced levels of safety and amenity and give rise to management problems and neighbour disputes. All ground floor community or commercial space should be provided with adequate off street storage facilities and recycling and waste/servicing areas.

MIX OF USES

1. The proposal lies within an area identified in the Local Plan as zoned for Mixed Activities - housing is an accepted use and the need for additional provision of affordable housing throughout the City is recognised.  
2. The need for additional affordable workshop and start up business/office space is also recognised and the council has committed to securing this through a mix of provision.  
3. A mix of Class 4 and 2 use units would be compatible with residential blocks provided residential amenity is protected through adequate conditions controlling the hours of operation and affordability is controlled in perpetuity (e.g. Not discount price to first tenant/buyer only)  
4. The Ark Trust should be provided with a stand alone building to replace not only the day centre but the additional residential accommodation (temporarily out of use) within their current premises on New Streetin addition to any additional community facilities to be provided.  
5. All community units at ground floor level to be provided with areas of open landscaped public space.  
6. Additional landscaping, streetscape, traffic calming and street lighting improvements on New Street and under the railway bridge must be included and implemented prior to any of the buildings coming into use.   

LAND SALE ISSUES When was the sale of this public land agreed with the council and who else was given an opportunity to bid for it? If the council are in partnership with the developer to provide affordable housing on the site will the application be referred to Scottish ministers? If land is public can legal agreement not pass residential units to Housing Association and also retain commercial units (workshops, offices, community space) in public ownership? When was the sale of this public land agreed with the council and who else was given an opportunity to bid for it? If the council are in partnership with the developer to provide affordable housing on the site will the application be referred to Scottish ministers? If land is public can legal agreement not pass residential units to Housing Association and also retain commercial units (workshops, offices, community space) in public ownership? LINKS TO APPLICATIONSComments to be in by 30th March 2007http://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/publicaccess/dc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=JDG72BEWF1000You can no longer comment on this applicationhttp://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/publicaccess/dc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=JDG7VOEWF1000.   ********* Mountgrange`s First Planning Application, more supporting papers were  submitted by Mountgrange on the 6th February, so you could have commented until the 26th February not the 7th as before. Link to council planning portal where you can see Mountgranges first planning application http://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/publicaccess/dc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=JBK0CKEWF1000Canongate Community Forums Main Points in objection to application1.This application can`t be properly assessed until the applications with full details of the buildings and ground floor heating have been received and agreed.2.The site identified for the ground floor heating excludes the affordable housing and wouldn`t comply with the Masterplan`s aims to achieve maximum sustainability across the site.3.The podium details include underground ducting links to listed buildings (this assumes the listed buildings would be demolished)4.What Mountgrange and the journalist (who has written both articles) seem to have forgotten is that it was Mountgrange that made the hole in the ground, subject to conditions! So mention this alsoSee article from dec 05The builders have offered to pay for the £100,000 arts project in a bid to quell fears the former New Street bus depot site could become a major eyesorehttp://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=2435882005 Canongate Community Forum's Proposals Press Report - Interest in fruit market ripensAN INDOOR market would return to the city centre under plans unveiledby campaigners fighting the controversial £200 million Caltongatescheme.http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1537492006The application by the Forum went  before the CEC Planning Committee on the 7th February 2007.  It was passed subject to conditions.http://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/publicaccess/dc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=J6PN7WEWF1000 This Application (Ref 06/04154/FUL) for change of use from private (councillors) car park to an indoor market.