News date:
11th Mar 2013Story
Below is a Briefing Note received today 11 March written by officials of the City of Edinburgh Council Planning Dept for Councillors in advance of the Planning meeting on 19th March.
Curriemuirend Park and Local Development Plan Briefing Note
Housing Regeneration Sites and the Edinburgh LDP
o Where a local authority intends to pursue or support particular development projects such as housing on Council-owned land, which would conflict with current planning policy, this should be considered through the preparation of a Local Development Plan.
o This ensures that the authority’s intentions are clearly known from the outset, allowing for any necessary public debate and scrutiny of local authority proposals as part of the wider considerations of the future planning of the area. o Scottish Government’s Planning Advice Note 82 – Local Authority Development Para 12 states that “Planning legislation requires that planning decisions are made in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. It is important therefore that, where a local authority intends to pursue or support particular development projects in the future, staff responsible for promoting such developments fully engage with their planning colleagues during the preparation of the development plan to allow their requirements to be considered through the emerging plan”.
o One of the reasons that Government advice is to use the development plan process for major local authority interest developments is that it allows third parties, such as local residents, the right for their objections to an LDP to be heard by an independent reporter. This is done through an examination dealing with unresolved representations to a Proposed LDP. The reporters’ recommendations are then largely binding on the Council.
o This means that if the reporter tells the Council should drop a particular proposal, the Council has to comply. This contrasts with the planning application process, where the Council is both applicant and the judge of whether third parties’ objections justify refusing the application.
o To implement this new approach, the LDP project team consulted with other CEC services about what major development proposals which could be contrary to the current local plans might fall within the period that the LDP will be in operation (I.e. 2015-2020).
o Four Housing Regeneration Sites were identified on land owned by the Council, currently in use as open space. There have the potential to contribute towards the Council’s future housing regeneration programmes, to help meet the need for new housing, in particular new affordable housing. If remaining open space is improved significantly, these changes would also comply with the standards in the city’s Open Space Strategy.
o These sites were subsequently identified as proposals in the Main Issues Report (MIR).
Main Issues Report Consultation
o The Main Issues Report consultation was carried out between 1 November 2011 to 27 January 2012. Question 7 of the MIR dealt with the Four Housing Regeneration Sites.
o Over 1,000 copies of the MIR were distributed to Community Councils, Neighbourhood Partnerships amenity groups and local Councillors. Planning Staff attended meetings of individual community councils / neighbourhood partnership meetings on request.
o In addition, paper copies of the MIR, Monitoring Statement and Environmental Report were placed at all public libraries and the Council planning office. Planning officers also staffed exhibitions at shopping centres across the city. Role of Community Councils in Planning and Local Development Plans Section 51 (2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 states as follows: - “The general purpose of a community council shall be to ascertain, co-ordinate and express to the local authorities for its area, and to public authorities, the views of the community which it represents, in relation to matters for which those authorities are responsible, and to take such action in the interests of that community as appears to it to be expedient and practicable''
o The Council consulted with Community Council’s on the MIR as per the Act and the Council’s Scheme for Community Councils.
o The Scheme highlights that it is essential views are demonstrated to be representative of the community and, accordingly, the community council will have in place recognised consultative mechanisms to validate their views; and devise strategies to secure greater involvement by all sectors of the community. o Juniper Green and Colinton Amenity Association responded to the MIR Consultation.
Responses to the MIR consultation
o A Summary of Responses to the MIR was published in April 2012. 55 responses were received to question 7. o 30 of the responses supported the preferred option in general, although there were objections to and support for individual sites. 25 of the responses supported retaining the sites as open space. o At the 6 December 2012 Planning Committee, the Committee noted that it was proposed to take forward three of the housing regeneration sites (with reduced, but improved open space) into the Proposed Plan (para 2.41). The fourth, at Calder Crescent, was not progressed because it had been confirmed that it was too constrained for major development. Further engagement
o Following the end of the MIR consultation, the LDP project team had further engagement with local groups to discuss the proposals in more detail: o South West Neighbourhood Partnership(26 October 2012) o Pentlands Neighbourhood Partnership (27 November 2012)
o Juniper Green Community Council (11 December 2012).
o These discussions led to the organisation of an additional, non-statutory public engagement workshop on the proposals at Curriemuirend and Clovenstone. This was carried out on the 5 March 2013 and was organised with the help of Juniper Green Community Council, Wester Hailes Community Council and Colinton Amenity Association.
Proposed Plan
The Proposed Plan is being reported to the Planning Committee recommends that the following two sites are designated for housing regeneration, on the condition that they significantly improve the quality of the remaining open space.
o Curriemuirend Park (HSG 29) linked with green space proposal at Clovenstone Drive (GS10)
o Moredunvale Road (HSG 30)
Extract from Proposed Plan (Report to Planning Committee 19 March 2013): Curriemuirend (HSG29 and GS10)
Proposal to provide housing and allotments on land at Curriemuirend Park (HSG29) and to improve the quality of the existing green space at Clovenstone Drive (GS10).
Development Principles
o A comprehensive approach to both sites is required, to ensure the allotments and green space improvements are delivered.
o Development should create an active street frontage along Wester Hailes Road
o Opportunity to create links to the wider green network
o Proposals should provide better pedestrian and cycle access to both the allotments and Clovenstone Drive park
o Opportunity to reduce the width of Wester Hailes Drive to create a more attractive, safe environment for pedestrians.
If approved, the Proposed LDP will be made available for representations from 1 May to 14 June 2013. Neighbour notification will be carried out beforehand, and advance notice will be given to all those groups and individuals on the LDP mailing list.
The Council will need to consider all representations received in this period. Any unresolved representations will be dealt with through the LDP examination, expected to take place in 2014.
Planning application
It is intended that masterplans will be prepared for all sites in the LDP prior to the submission of planning application(s).
Further community consultation will be carried out at that stage.
KH & BW 11 March 2013