Eidyn Architects Planning Application — Take Action to Save A Vital Edinburgh Community Space!
Eidyn Architects have put in an application for building permission to convert the building currently housing The Forest (3 Bristo Pl, EH1 1EY) into 10 HMO bedsits and 3 private flats. If they are granted permission to go ahead with their plans The Forest would have to move, Edinburgh will lose one of its vital community spaces, and access to this heritage listed building will be private only. Under this plan, the Church Hall upstairs will be converted into flats with the organ and pulpit – original to the building – lost.
We only have until 3rd December to make as many objections to this application as possible.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
We can object to this proposal in 3 ways
Visit the Edinburgh Council Planning Portal website and type in this application number:
10/03229/lbc
. Make a comment, including these important points:That the conversion of a community space that is accessible to people of lower incomes to private flats adversely affects the character and vitality of Edinburgh City Centre. Refer to Edinburgh City Local Plan, p71 (Policy Com 1): “Development involving the loss of valuable local community facilities without replacement will not be allowed, unless appropriate alternative provision is to be made” (p71) “6.39 Facilities such as local doctor and dental surgeries, local shops, community halls and meeting rooms are necessary to foster community life. Equally, the Council will seek to retain facilities of proven value, if threatened by redevelopment proposals without prospect of replacement.”
That this application is in contradiction to the City’s stated aims of creating a diverse city centre, as declared in “Chapter 10 – City Regeneration: Objectives” of the Edinburgh City Local Plan (p135) and again on p136 in Policy Ca 1: “Development in the central area will be permitted which maintains and enhances the
character, attractiveness, vitality and accessibility of the city centre and contributes to its role as the regional service centre and Edinburgh’s role as a capital city. The requirements in principle will be for: a) comprehensively designed proposals which maximise the potential of the site in accordance with any relevant site development brief and/or other guidance b) a use or a mix of uses appropriate to the location of the site, its accessibility
characteristics and the character of the surrounding areaArguments in favour of rejecting the proposed plan based on the status of the building as grade B listed (rejection of the Listed Building Consent): Number 3 Bristo Place is a Category B Listed Building. This means that the exterior and interior of the building are protected on the recommendation of Historic Scotland.
Call or visit your local councillor and ask them to reject Listed Building Consent Application 10/03229/lbc. Relevant Council Members for City Centre:
Cllr Charles C Dundas (LBD) charles.dundas@edinburgh.gov.uk Tel: 0131 529 3282.
Surgery times:
Central Library George IV Bridge 3rd Wednesday 6:00pm - 7:00pmCllr David Beckett (SNP) david.beckett@edinburgh.gov.uk Tel: 0131 529 3271
Surgery times: Tollcross Community Centre, 1st Monday, 6:00pm,
Central Library, 1st Thursday, 6:00pm,
South Bridge Resource Centre, 2nd Thursday 6:00pm,
St Mary’s (London Street) Primary School, 3rd Wednesday (during school term) 6:00pm,
Abbeyhill Primary School, 4th Wednesday (during school term) 6:00pm.Cllr Joanna Mowat (CON) joanna.mowat@edinburgh.gov.uk Tel: 0131 529 4077
Surgery times: Central Library 2nd Tuesday 6:30pm
Send a letter to Eidyn Architects asking them to withdraw their proposal: 14 Picardy Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JT.
Thanks for taking this time to help keep 3 Bristo Place a community space!