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

Dear Mr Nicolson
 
I wish to lodge OBJECTIONS TO the following 6 CALTONGATE Planning Applications
 
07/01241/FUL, 07/01288/FUL, 07/01237/FUL, 07/01287/FUL, 07/01235/FUL, 07/01289/LBC on the following grounds
 
• Contravene NPPG 18 (Planning and the Historic Environment
• Contravene Policies ENV1C and ENV1D of Edinburgh & The Lothian’s Structure Plan (World Heritage Site and Conservation Areas)
• Do not accord with the spirit and principles of the existing Central Local Plan (Conservation and Design) Policies. For example they contravene Policy CD2 as the scale and poor architectural design do not respect the setting of the surrounding buildings. They are also contrary to Policies CD4 & CD5 as the new design cannot be said to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area. I feel that it is actually detrimental to the surroundings and will destroy the historic character of the area. They contravene Policy T10 (pedestrian environment) also.
• The City of  Edinburgh Council have a financial interest in this development, from both the sale of Common Good land on East Market Street and the 20% gained from the development profits. I understand the development is dependant on the sale of this land. Therefore, all 11 applications should be referred to Scottish Ministers for a decision.
• The case for any further demolitions has not been adequately made.  The presumption in planning is to protect, reuse and adapt buildings in a conservation area.
• The design of the buildings is out of character with the buildings in the Old Town. It will greatly affect the character of the area, to the detriment of the Old Town. Tourists come to Edinburgh to see an ‘Old Town’ not a square and buildings that could be in any major, younger city.
• There will be a loss of amenity to existing residential properties due to the design, layout and mix of uses. The additional proposed restaurant and licensed premises in combination with the hotel and leisure uses will severely affect the quality of life for local residents.
Yours sincerely

Susan W. Morrison